CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

British Library

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to his Department's press release of 8 November 2007, how many visitors from Europe the British Library attracted in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 19 November 2007
	The British Library does not collect data specifically on visitors from Europe. It does, however, collect data in a number of specific areas of activity, which indicate the level of European usage of its services:
	
		
			  New Reader Passes and Renewals: Europe (excluding the UK) 
			   Number 
			 1997 2,543 
			 1998 3,525 
			 1999 3,627 
			 2000 4,093 
			 2001 4,276 
			 2002 4,112 
			 2003 3,290 
			 2004 3,580 
			 2005 4,462 
			 2006 4,618 
			 2007 (to date) 3,792 
		
	
	 Exhibition Visits
	Exit surveys indicate that the Rest of Europe attendance for the last three British Library exhibitions were: 2006 Front Page 4 per cent. (4,458); 2006 London: A Life in Maps 9 per cent. (11,857) and 2007 Sacred 10 per cent. (20,005).
	 Website Visits
	From market research undertaken during the past three years it is estimated that approximately 15 per cent. of website usage comes from the Rest of Europe. The British Library's current website usage stands at nine million unique hosts per annum, which suggests that approximately 1.35 million users are from the Rest of Europe.

Churches Conservation Trust: Finance

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding his Department has given to the Churches Conservation Trust in each of the last five years.

Margaret Hodge: The Churches Conservation Trust cares for Church of England churches no longer required for regular worship, and considered to be of historical or architectural significance. The Trust's Grant-in-Aid from the Department is shown in the table.
	In addition, the Trust receives funding under the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme, which makes grants equivalent to the VAT incurred in making repairs to listed church buildings. The amounts received by the Trust in each year under the scheme are in the table.
	
		
			   Grant in  a id (£ million)  Listed  places of worship grant scheme  (£) 
			 2002-03 3 307,676 
			 2003-04 3 371,654 
			 2004-05 3 304,837 
			 2005-06 3 280,604 
			 2006-07 3 588,444

Cricket: Primary Education

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to encourage cricket in primary schools.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Cricket is one of 26 sports helping to deliver the National School Sport Strategy. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the National Governing Body for cricket, has received over £1.5 million to date to deliver its objectives for the Club Links and Step into Sport programmes within this Strategy.
	The 2006-07 School Sport Survey found that cricket is the 5th most popular sport among schools in a school sport partnership, with 88 per cent. of primary schools offering it to their pupils. The survey also found that 53 per cent. of primary schools have links with a local cricket club.
	We have established over 150 cricket community sports coaches through the CSC scheme. The majority of CSC time is spent within the school setting.
	Since 2003, Sport England has allocated £14.15 million of Community Club Development Programme (CCDP) funding to the ECB to help community sports clubs develop, or redevelop its sports facilities. Early evaluation of CCDP indicates that, since 2003-04, it has made a key contribution to an increase in links between community sports clubs and schools.
	The 'Chance to Shine' initiative, aimed at regenerating competitive cricket in state schools has received £4.5million funding to date, £2 million of Sports Lottery funding over the two years 2005 to 2007 and, 2007-08, £2.5 million through the National Sports Foundation.

Departmental Cost Effectiveness

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what efficiency savings projects his Department put in place under the Spending Review 2004 targets; on what date each was initiated; how much each was expected to contribute to the target; how much was saved by each; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Department has five efficiency programme streams that contribute to its overall target of £262 million savings over the SR04 spending period. Latest figures up to June 2007 are:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   June 2007 Outturn  March 2008 Target 
			 DCMS Internal 1 2 
			 Museums and Galleries NDPBs 52.9 45 
			 Heritage NDPBs 12.8 14 
			 Strategic NDPBS 52.2 55 
			 Local Authorities 84.6 146 
			 Total 203.5 262 
		
	
	Our efficiency savings are reported publicly in our Departmental Annual Report and our Autumn Performance Report. The 2007 Autumn Performance Report, due to be published in December, will contain the latest figures up to September 2007.

Departmental Flexible Working

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff  (a) have applied to work flexible hours and  (b) work flexible hours (i) in his Department and (ii) the Executive agencies for which his Department is responsible.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not keep central records of  (a) staff who have applied to work flexible hours and  (b) central records of how many staff work flexible hours. Many requests for flexible working are made informally between managers and staff and therefore not formally recorded.
	The information requested could therefore be provided only at disproportionate costs. However, the Department for Culture, Media and Sports operates a flexible working policy that includes:
	Flexible working hours (formal and informal flexi, compressed hours, term-time working and annualised hours);
	Part-time working or job sharing; and
	Home working including formal or informal arrangements.
	Our Agency, The Royal Parks, is also unable to provide information on number of staff who have applied to work flexible hours or work flexible hours.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme: Greater London

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government  (a) have taken and  (b) plan to take to assist elderly people in London to prepare for the switchover from analogue to digital TV; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The Government have asked the BBC to establish and fund the digital switchover help scheme. This scheme will assist the over-75s and those with significant disabilities (including the blind or visually impaired) to convert to digital television. This help is free of charge to poorest households—those who receive income support or pension credit. Others will pay a £40 charge.
	The help scheme will be available to eligible residents in London at least eight months before switchover begins in the London area. The London ITV region is scheduled to switchover in the first half of 2012.
	In the meantime, advice and information about digital switchover is available from Digital UK: from their website www.digitaluk.co.uk<http://www.digitaluk.co.uk> or by calling Digital UK's helpline on 0845 650 5050.

Festivals and Special Occasions: Film

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to his Department's press release of 1 November 2007 (127/07), what plans there are to attract  (a) inbound and  (b) domestic visitors to the proposed UK Film Council-funded film festivals.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 19 November 2007
	The role of the Film Festivals Fund in attracting inbound and domestic visitors is fully set out in the Strategy for the UK-Wide Film Festival which is available on the UK Film Council's website at:
	http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk.
	As part of the assessment process for the Film Festivals Fund, applicants must demonstrate a festival's contribution to the UK economy in terms of employment, skills, exports, inward investment and tourism.

Football Foundation: Finance

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding his Department has given to the Football Foundation in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My Department has given a total of £124 million to the Football Foundation since 2000. The first funding period from 2000-01 to 2004-05 was £62 million made up of £24 million Lottery funding, £30 million from the New Opportunities Fund and £8 million from the Pools betting duty.
	The second funding period from 2005-06 to 2006-07 was for £45 million made up of £25 million Lottery funding and £20 million Exchequer funding through Spending Review 2004 and Sport England.
	For 2007-08 the funding was £15 million from DCMS.
	In addition the Football Foundation received £2 million Exchequer funding for the years 2006-07 and 2007-08 for anti-crime initiatives.

Heritage

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when a decision is expected from English Heritage on the possibility of listing remaining buildings at the Standish Hospital site.

Margaret Hodge: While English Heritage receives applications, assesses buildings and makes recommendations, responsibility for decisions on whether or not to list a building remains, under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, with the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State has received advice from English Heritage on Block C (the former women's ward) at Standish hospital, and will be making a decision shortly. I will inform the hon. Member by December.

Sports Direct: Finance

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent on the establishment of Sports Direct; and what proportion of this has been spent on consultancy fees.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 19 November 2007
	All costs of developing and establishing Sports Direct have been met within existing budgets. There was no separate budget for Sports Direct.
	Sport England commissioned consultants to produce a feasibility study at a cost of £8,000 in 2005.

Sports: Children

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether there are any schemes funded in whole or in part by the Government that encourage sporting participation among children under five-years-old.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), a single framework for learning, development and care for children from birth to age five, will become statutory in all settings from September 2008. The physical development of babies and young children is one of the six areas of learning and development which practitioners must encourage through play and by providing opportunities for physical activities. Implementation of the EYFS is funded through grants for training and delivery primarily through the free offer for three and four-year-olds.

Sports: Schools

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the answer of 29 October 2007,  Official Report, column 639W, on Sports: Schools, by what date he estimates that the 225 competition managers will be in post.

Gerry Sutcliffe: We estimate that our final wave of senior competition managers will be in post between April and September 2008, and our final wave of competition managers between September 2008 and January 2009.

Television: Licensing

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many extra licence fee payers there are expected to be as a result of household growth in each year between 2007 and 2016; and how much the BBC expects to receive from such licence fee payers over this period.

James Purnell: The current licence fee settlement, which runs to 2012-13, assumes a continued household growth rate of 0.8 per cent. per year, generating additional revenue of around £600 million over the settlement period. The growth assumption to be made for later years will be a matter for the next funding settlement.

Video Games: Violence

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding his Department has provided for the Byron Review since its establishment; and how much it is expected to provide over the lifetime of the review.

Margaret Hodge: The Department has contributed two members of staff and their associated expenses to the review team for the lifetime of the review. We have not yet finalised the level of our financial contribution.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel returning to the UK from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan in each of the last three years listed their principal private residence listed as being in Peterborough constituency.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 19 November 2007
	The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Homosexuality

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether mechanisms exist in his Department for recording the number of homosexual recruits joining HM armed forces.

Derek Twigg: The armed forces do not record the sexual orientation of recruits joining the services as an individual's sexuality is considered to be a private life matter.

Army: Complaints

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints considered under Army redress procedures have been made by  (a) officers,  (b) non-commissioned officers,  (c) private soldiers and  (d) untrained private soldiers since 1997; and how many of these were (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful.

Bob Ainsworth: The Ministry of Defence does not hold complete records dating back to 1997. However, during the period 1 January 1999 to 16 November 2007, our records indicate that 525 officers, 1,172 non-commissioned officers and 252 private soldiers (trained and untrained) applied for redress of complaint.
	The results of redress of complaints are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Army: Complaints

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedural time limits apply to the issue of a decision by the Army Board on a complaint under Army redress procedures relating to  (a) sexual harassment,  (b) racial harassment,  (c) parental leave directive,  (d) pay and (e) religion.

Bob Ainsworth: There are no absolute time limits on the processing of application of complaints by the Army Board because each complaint is different and must be treated on its own merits. Guidance contained within the Army General Administrative Instruction Chapter 70 suggests 60 working days from receipt by the board for it to make a determination. However, from 1 January 2008, new procedures will come into effect as a result of the Armed Forces Act 2006. From that point most complaints will be referred to service complaint panels rather than service boards. The suggested timings for the panels to make their decisions will be the same as for the Army Board at present.
	In addition, the new Service Complaints Commissioner will provide an alternative way for service personnel to make certain types of complaints. The Commissioner will set her own reporting timelines for monitoring progress when she passes complaints to the services for action.

Army: Complaints

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers who made complaints under Army redress procedures since 1997 subsequently committed suicide.

Bob Ainsworth: Our records indicate that since 1997 one soldier whose death was recorded by a coroner as suicide is known to have submitted a redress of complaint. There is no evidence to suggest that the redress, which was withdrawn, and the soldier's death were linked.

Army: Disciplinary Proceedings

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) officers,  (b) non-commissioned officers and  (c) private soldiers have been disciplined following the outcome of (i) an Army Board decision, (ii) a divisional level decision and (iii) a unit level decision since 1997.

Bob Ainsworth: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2007,  Official Report, column 125W, on departmental expenditure, what his Department spent on office refurbishment and repairs in each financial year since 2002-03.

Derek Twigg: The information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Public Participation

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what public consultations his Department has conducted since May 2005.

Derek Twigg: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Research: Renewable Energy

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the budget for research and development for each type of renewable energy technology was in each of the last 10 years.

Ian Pearson: Government Department and Research Councils expenditure on R and D on renewable energy technologies from 1997 is set out as follows.
	
		
			  Research councils expenditure 
			  £000 
			   1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Wind 200 226 178 261 330 490 482 243 125 1,140 
			 Solar 3,695 4,288 3,836 4,126 4,666 3,927 3,834 4,179 4,065 1,651 
			 Fuel cells and Hydrogen 918 1,147 762 982 1,464 1,985 2,687 2,394 2,706 3,074 
			 Wave and Tidal 0 157 175 301 606 617 830 995 1,026 1,080 
			 Bioenergy 447 871 736 622 752 927 1,177 1,250 2,023 4,123 
			 Geothermal 0 0 0 40 65 64 73 79 106 124 
			 Storage 326 650 670 838 889 810 730 467 789 1,193 
			 Networks 1,348 1,168 1,081 919 1,115 1,388 1,805 2,390 3,666 4,037 
			 Other renewable 70 95 152 268 433 587 453 1,221 1,315 2,380 
			 Total 7,004 8,602 7,590 8,357 10,320 10,795 12,071 13,218 15,821 18,802 
		
	
	In addition the Research Councils have supported further research relating to energy in the work of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, which has some £15.6 million funding from Research Councils over 2000-09, and in the work of the UK Energy Research Centre which commenced operation in 2004, with a budget of £13.9 million for 2004-09.

WALES

Departmental Expenditure

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to his written statement of 15 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 111-12WS, on Departmental Expenditure (Wales Office), what the reasons are for the transfers of  (a) £226,000 from the Parliamentary Counsel Office to the Wales Office,  (b) £220,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government to the Wales Office and  (c) £30,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government to the Wales Office.

Peter Hain: The reasons for the transfers are:
	 (a) £226,000 from the Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO) to the Wales Office to contribute to the total cost of services the PCO provided in drafting legislation on behalf of the Wales Office;
	 (b) £220,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government to the Wales Office to cover the full year cost of services provided by the Department for Constitutional Affairs, now the Ministry of Justice, following the Machinery of Government Changes in 2003; and
	 (c) £30,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government to the Wales Office to cover increased forecast costs for Lord Lieutenants in Wales.

Departmental Manpower

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what change there has been in the number of officials in his Department since the publication of the 2007 Annual Departmental Report; what the grades and responsibilities are of staff recruited since that time; and how many and what vacancies his Department has.

Peter Hain: Since the 2007 Annual Departmental Report, there has been little change in overall numbers. The Wales Office has reorganized to meet new challenges better. This has involved re-assigning some people, and recruitment to replace leavers. Two staff have been recruited specifically to strengthen the Legislation and Strategic Policy teams, and another to strengthen office support.
	We expect to replace a few staff who will leave in the next couple of months, and to advertise for a new senior civil servant to lead on legislation. We will continue to be within the maximum of 62 posts indicated in the 2007 Departmental Report.

Welsh Grand Committee

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he plans to arrange meetings of the Welsh Grand Committee in Wales.

Peter Hain: There are currently no plans to hold a Welsh Grand Committee in Wales but I am happy to consider any proposals to do so.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Carers: Forest of Dean

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the  (a) number and  (b) proportion of people in Forest of Dean constituency that (i) receive and (ii) provide unpaid care.

Ivan Lewis: I have been asked to reply.
	This information is not held centrally.

Disables: Equal Opportunities

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library the report of the meeting of the United Kingdom Advisory Network on Disability Equality held on 12 November.

Anne McGuire: Equality 2025; The United Kingdom Advisory Network on Disability Equality held their first public meeting on the 12 November 2007. The report is currently being written and, when completed, will be available on the Equality 2025 pages of the Office for Disability Issues' website. A copy will be placed in the Library. Summaries of future meetings will be available on the website:
	www.officefordisability.gov.uk/equality2025

TRANSPORT

A1: Dual Carriageways

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the projected cost is of the two A1 dualling projects listed as on hold on the Highways Agency website.

Tom Harris: The A1 Adderstone to Belford and the A1 Morpeth to Felton dualling schemes are on hold because they were not prioritised for funding by the Interim North East Regional Transport Board within the regional funding allocation for major transport schemes up to 2015-16. The Highways Agency is not progressing any work on these two schemes and there are no current estimates of their cost.

Airports: Fees and Charges

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which UK airports handling one million or more passengers per annum will be affected by the EU Airports Charges Directive; when the provisions of that Directive will be applied to UK airports; and how many UK airports are affected by existing UK price control regulation.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The criteria regarding which airports would be affected by the EU airports charges directive have been debated in council working groups and feature in proposed MEP amendments to the directive. The directive is still in the early stages of the co-decision procedure and so it is too early to say what the final position will be on the scope of the directive, or when the directive's provisions will be applied to UK airports. This will depend on when the directive is adopted at EU level and the date that it is subsequently transposed into UK law. Four UK airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester) are currently designated for the purposes of price control. The two concurrent public consultations on the designated status of Manchester and Stansted airports closed on 17 October. The Secretary of State is currently reviewing the evidence.

Aviation: Noise

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much her Department spent on carrying out the Attitudes To Noise From Aviation Sources in England study in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 12 November 2007
	The costs for the Attitudes to Noise from Aviation Sources in England (ANASE) study are currently:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2007-08 (1)— 
			 2006-07 239,911.04 
			 2005-06 471,527.63 
			 2004-05 207,027.75 
			 2003-04 237,281.49 
			 2002-03 218,843.39 
			 2001-02 61,780.50 
			 (1) Figures for 2007-08 are incomplete.

British Transport Police: Assaults on Police

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many reports were received of British Transport police officers being  (a) physically assaulted,  (b) verbally assaulted and  (c) spat at in each of the last five years.

Tom Harris: This information is not held by the Department for Transport but by the British Transport police who can be contacted at:
	British Transport Police,
	25 Camden Road,
	London NW1 9LN,
	E-mail: general.enquiries@btp.pnn.police.uk.

British Waterways Board: Finance

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much in freight facility grants she allocated to British Waterways in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport has provided British Waterways (BW) with one Freight Facility Grant (FFG) since 1997. Earlier this year, BW was awarded £1.37 million towards the cost of constructing a lock in the Prescott Channel to enable the transport of construction materials by water to the Olympic site.
	BW has applied for an additional £0.5 million of FFG funding for the transport of materials by water to the Stratford City development site. A decision on whether to agree to this additional funding has not yet been made.
	As far as I am aware these are the only applications for FFG funding that the Department has received from British Waterways in this period.

Crossrail Line

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when spending figures per head on transport in  (a) London and  (b) each of the English regions will be recalculated to take into account the decision to fund Crossrail; when she expects to publish the re-calculated figures; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: holding answer 19 November 2007
	The regional breakdown of our past spending and future spending plans is produced annually, and published in the Department's annual report and in the "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses" produced by the Treasury and the Office for National Statistics. These documents are normally published in April or May.

Departmental Expenditure

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what functions between October 2006 and September 2007 her Department incurred expenditure on official hospitality; and how much was incurred at each function.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Information on the functions at which the Department incurred expenditure on official hospitality is not centrally recorded and this information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	All expenditure incurred by the Department is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, which are based on the principles set out in Government Accounting and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Manpower

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the full-time equivalent headcount in her Department is; what the forecast full-time equivalent headcount for her Department is for  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Workforce statistics for the Department for Transport were published by the Office of National Statistics in Table 6 of First Release: Public sector employment, Quarter 2 2007. A copy is available in the Library of the House and at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/pse0907.pdf.
	The Department has 18,240 full-time equivalent permanent staff. Workforce forward projections for 2008-09 and 2009-10 are not yet completed.

Departmental NDPBs

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the  (a) budget and  (b) remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by her Department; who the chairman is of each; and to what salary, including bonuses and expenses, each chairman is entitled.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Details of the Department for Transport's non-departmental public bodies and their remits are set out in the Department's annual report for 2007, Cm7095. This can be found online at
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/publications/apr/ar2007/dftan nualreport2007?page=3#a1014.
	The published annual reports and accounts of the non-departmental public bodies set out the remuneration details of each organisation's chairman. Websites are listed at
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/publications/apr/ar2007/a1014.
	Financial data for the non-departmental public bodies, including budgetary information, is set out in both the Department's annual report and the published annual reports and accounts of the non-departmental public bodies.
	Some information may not have as yet been published, as information is currently being collated and will be published in due course.

Galileo

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the estimated through-life cost of the Galileo satellite system; what other criteria were taken into account in the Government's assessment of the merits of UK involvement; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 19 November 2007
	The Commission's latest estimates for the costs of Galileo, based on a public procurement, are €3.4 billion (£2.3 billion) over the period to 2013 for deployment and initial operation of the system, with subsequent operation, maintenance and replenishment costs of around €6 billion (£4.16 billion) over the following 17 years to 2030. Approximately €1.6 billion (£1.1 billion) is committed spend on the design and development of the system. The Commission estimates these costs might be offset by a revenue stream from chargeable Galileo services. The Commission estimate these revenues as being in the range of €4.6 billion to €11.7 billion (£3.1 billion to £8.1 billion) to 2030.
	In considering the benefits from the deployment of a Community Global Navigational Satellite System the Government believe it is necessary to look at the potential economic benefits to the Community as a whole, as well as the potential opportunities for the UK space industry and for the downstream application providers in the UK, who might benefit from the greater availability and wider services that Galileo should offer.

Great Western Trains: Standards

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment her Department has made of the performance of First Great Western train services; and if she will place in the Library the most recent performance statistics.

Tom Harris: Improving rail performance is a key objective for the Department for Transport. Joint action plans are in place between Network Rail and FGW to address performance issues. Additionally, FGW has implemented a 40-point Recovery Plan. These are monitored monthly. I recently held a meeting with FGW's new Chief Operating Officer and Network Rail's new Route Director.
	In the year to 13 October 2007 FGW achieved an average punctuality of 82.6 per cent. across the franchise as a whole and 84.5 per cent. during the preceding four week period.
	The most recent FGW performance statistics are not available in the Library, but can be found from the following sources:
	Network Rail's site with most recent four-weekly results by train operator:
	http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/742.aspx
	FGW's own site with current performance results information:
	http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=265
	ORR national Rail Trends Yearbook 2006-07:
	http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.8802

Highways Agency: Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to her answer of 12 September 2007,  Official Report, column 2048W, how much was spent by  (a) her Department and  (b) the Highways Agency on the creation of (i) an eighth Highways Agency regional operating unit in 2005-06 and (ii) a ninth Highways Agency regional operating unit in 2006-07.

Tom Harris: The numbers of regional operating units increased in 2005-06 as a result of some restructuring of the internal budgeting and reporting arrangements for Traffic Operations directorate. Existing budgets were redistributed and no additional costs incurred.
	In 2006-07 a new division was created in the Major Projects directorate to administer the M25 Design Build Finance Operate project. Again, resources were largely found by reallocation of existing budgets with the exception of approximately 100,000 additional salary and pension costs.

Leominster Railway Station

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans she has to improve access at Leominster railway station; whether Leominster railway station will be included in the next round of access for all funding; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: So far we have announced 92 stations in England and Wales and eight in Scotland that will be targeted for Access for All funding up to 2012. We are currently drawing up a list of stations to be included in the programme from 2012 to 2015 which we hope to publish by the end of this year. While I cannot yet give a commitment on which stations will be included, the case for Leominster has been noted and it will be considered for inclusion.

Lorries: Tolls

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Government plan to seek to charge foreign hauliers for their use of UK roads.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport is currently undertaking a feasibility study to explore ways of delivering better targeted enforcement on foreign heavy goods vehicles. This is looking at a range of potential schemes including a time-based charge for the use of UK roads, which, if pursued, could result in foreign hauliers making a daily, monthly or annual payment. No decisions have been taken on this.

M6

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what her most recent estimated cost is of the proposed M6 widening between junctions 11A and 19.

Tom Harris: The Highways Agency is investigating a number of alternative options for improving travel conditions on the M6 between J11A and 19, including possible widening to dual four lanes. A range of cost estimates will result from this work and we do not have any definitive estimates at this stage.

National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings have been held by  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials in her Department with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers since 27 June; and what the dates were of each meeting.

Tom Harris: Ministers and officials have had a number of meetings with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (on an individual basis or as part of a wider group) since 27 June to discuss a range of issues.

National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings were held by  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials in her Department with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers in each of the last five years.

Tom Harris: Ministers and officials have had a number of meetings with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (on an individual basis or as part of a wider group) in each of the last five years to discuss a range of issues.

Network Rail: Cost Effectiveness

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what areas she expects Network Rail to make savings in order to achieve the 31 per cent. target by 2009; how Network Rail will make efficiency savings of 31 per cent. by 2009; and what savings she has already identified within Network Rail.

Tom Harris: It falls to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) to confirm progress in the delivery of Network Rail's efficiency performance over the period from 2004-09 against the 31 per cent. unit cost-efficiency target which the ORR set under its 2003 Access Charges Review.
	Monitoring by the ORR shows that Network Rail remains on course to achieve the overall cost efficiencies of 31 per cent. by 2009.

Opinion Leader Research

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many contracts were awarded by her Department to Opinion Leader Research in each year since 1997; and what was  (a) the title and purpose,  (b) the cost to the public purse and  (c) the dates of (i) tender, (ii) award, (iii) operation and (iv) completion and report to the Department in each case.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department was formed in May 2002. It has awarded no contracts to Opinion Leader Research.

Park and Ride Schemes: Finance

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money is to be paid in total to the East Riding of Yorkshire council to enable the proposed Bridlington Park and Ride scheme and associated works to go ahead.

Rosie Winterton: The total amount of funding to be provided by the Department for this scheme is 4.708 million.

Parking: Beaconsfield Railway Station

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost of constructing the upper floor car parking area at Beaconsfield Railway Station was; and when such construction took place.

Tom Harris: These are operational matters for Network Rail, as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The right hon. Member should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for a response to his questions.
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	40 Melton Street
	London NW1 2EE

Public Expenditure

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much she has allocated to the next tranche of Access for All funding.

Tom Harris: We are currently drawing-up the third list of stations for inclusion in the Access for All programme. Until detailed designs have been prepared for the selected stations it is too early to give an accurate estimate of the costs for these works. The programme has a ring-fenced budget of 370 million until 2015.

Railways

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of railway costs were borne by the  (a) taxpayer and  (b) fare payer in the latest period for which figures are available.

Tom Harris: The latest passenger revenue and Government support figures are set out in National Rail Trends which is published by the Office of Rail Regulation and is available on their website at www.rail-reg.gov.uk. Copies are also available in the Library of the House.

Railways

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the expected additional journey time is for commuters who will have to travel from Winchester to Romsey by rail, via Southampton, when the direct rail link bus service is discontinued; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: The current time for the rail link bus between Winchester and Romsey is 25-26 minutes. In the new timetable the time by rail from Winchester to Romsey via Eastleigh will vary dependent on the time of day but at best is 42 minutes, an increase of 17 minutes.
	Additionally, it should be noted that the X66 commercial bus service runs a parallel service taking approximately 30 minutes.

Railways: Stansted Airport

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are to upgrade the Stansted Airport to Liverpool Street railway line.

Tom Harris: The Department is currently assessing options for future train service and rail infrastructure enhancements on the Stansted to Liverpool Street line in conjunction with Network Rail, BAA and Transport for London. The focus of this work is to ensure a better service and additional capacity for commuters and leisure travellers, as well as the growing market for rail travel to Stansted airport. An announcement is expected to be made in early 2008 and the outcome of the work is expected to be reflected in the Network Route Utilisation Strategy for the route.

Railways: Stansted Airport

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are to upgrade the rolling stock used on the Stansted Airport to Liverpool Street railway line.

Tom Harris: The Department's White Paper Delivering a Sustainable Railway published in July, set out a commitment to increase capacity on the network with around 1,300 additional carriages. The Department will publish a Rolling Stock Plan in January 2008, setting out its proposals in more detail.

Roads: Accidents

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many deaths took place on British roads in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is available from table 2 of Road Casualties Great Britain: 2006 annual report. Copies of the report have been deposited in the Libraries of the House. This table can also be found on the Department's website at the following address:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/172974/173025/221412/221549/227755/285672/WebTables120.xls

South West Trains: Bus Services

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations her Department has received from South West Trains on the Winchester to Romsey rail link bus; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: The Secretary of State for Transport has received no representations from South West Trains on the Winchester to Romsey rail link bus.

South West Trains: Franchises

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2007,  Official Report, column 94W, on South West Trains: Winchester, if she will identify  (a) what the new opportunities for transport integration in the franchise awarded to South West Trains were and  (b) which established links have been removed from the new franchise; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: The information is as follows:
	 (a) The Franchise Agreement commits Stagecoach South Western Trains (SSWT) to:
	Procure a bus link between Waterlooville and Petersfield from December 2007
	Promote other transport integration measures to customers which may include:
	advertising and promotion of integrated tickets
	liaison with local bus and coach operators
	promotion of park and ride facilities
	staff training to ensure staff are informed and helpful to assist customers with their onward journey
	access integration, working closely with disability groups and organisations
	Install an additional 700 bicycle spaces by February 2013
	Establish two new Plus Bus Schemes
	 (b) The Romsey to Winchester Rail Link bus service is being withdrawn due to the low number of passengers using it. This dedicated bus link is not a commitment within the current SSWT Franchise Agreement; therefore, SSWT are under no obligation to continue to provide this facility.

Waterloo Station

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what commercial property opportunities Network Rail is exploring at Waterloo station.

Tom Harris: This is an operational matter for Network Rail, as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for a response to his question.
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	40 Melton Street
	London NW1 2EE

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcohol Disorder Zones

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many alcohol disorder zones were instituted in each year since their inception.

Vernon Coaker: To date, no alcohol disorder zones have been instituted, as the power requires final legislative scrutiny before being commenced. This final ratification of the statutory instrument by affirmative resolution will be progressed during the next two months.

Animal Experiments

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what requirements exist on the recording of observations on the condition of animals used for scientific testing, whether or not there is a change in condition;
	(2)  whether records on the condition of animals are kept on a 24-hour basis by establishments with a certificate of designation under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Meg Hillier: Record keeping requirements for designated establishments are set out in paragraphs 4.27 to 4.33 and appendices B and C of the published Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (HC321). In addition to the requirements for adequate records to be maintained by project and personal licence holders these include the requirement of a health record maintained under the supervision of the Named Veterinary Surgeon or other suitably qualified person. The Named Veterinary Surgeon's records have to be maintained to the proper professional standard.
	A number of record formats have evolved to satisfy Home Office requirements and meet local needs. Observation schedules and record keeping are expected to make proper provision for the checking of animals and recording of significant findings outside normal working hours, where necessary. The records must be made available to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate on request. Failure to maintain records in an acceptable format is in breach of the terms and conditions of authorities issued under the 1986 Act.

BAE Systems

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has received representations from the US Administration about the US Department of Justice Mutual Legal Assistance request with regard to BAE Systems.

Meg Hillier: I refer the hon. Member to previous answers provided on this matter. I can confirm that the Home Office received a request for assistance from the USA in respect of corruption allegations concerning BAE Systems. The request is being dealt with in accordance with the bi-lateral treaty on mutual legal assistance between the UK and the USA. It would be inappropriate to comment further.

BAE Systems

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has received representations from BAE Systems with regard to the US Department of Justice Mutual Legal Assistance request into allegations of misconduct involving BAE Systems.

Meg Hillier: I refer the hon. Member to previous answers provided on this matter. I can confirm that the Home Office received a request for assistance from the USA in respect of corruption allegations concerning BAE Systems. The request is being dealt with in accordance with the bi-lateral treaty on mutual legal assistance between the UK and the USA. It would be inappropriate to comment further.

BAE Systems

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether the US Administration has made representations to his Department with regard to the UK processing of the US Mutual Legal Assistance request into allegations of misconduct involving BAE Systems;
	(2)  whether US investigators have visited the UK in relation to the US Department of Justice investigation into allegations of bribery involving BAE Systems in the last two months; and whether investigators have met officials from her Department.

Meg Hillier: I refer the hon. Member to previous answers provided on this matter. I can confirm that the Home Office received a request for assistance from the USA in respect of corruption allegations concerning BAE Systems. The request is being dealt with in accordance with the bi-lateral treaty on mutual legal assistance between the UK and the USA. It would be inappropriate to comment further.

BAE Systems

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received from BAE Systems with regard to the US Department of Justice Mutual Legal Assistance request in relation to allegations of misconduct involving BAE Systems; and on what dates such representations were received.

Meg Hillier: I refer the hon. Member to previous answers provided on this matter. I can confirm that the Home Office received a request for assistance from the USA in respect of corruption allegations concerning BAE Systems. The request is being dealt with in accordance with the bi-lateral treaty on mutual legal assistance between the UK and the USA. It would be inappropriate to comment further.

BAE Systems

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations have been received by her Department on the UK processing of the US Mutual Legal Assistance request into allegations of misconduct involving BAE Systems; and on what dates such representations were received.

Meg Hillier: I refer the hon. Member to previous answers provided on this matter. I can confirm that the Home Office received a request for assistance from the USA in respect of corruption allegations concerning BAE Systems. The request is being dealt with in accordance with the bi-lateral treaty on mutual legal assistance between the UK and the USA. It would be inappropriate to comment further.

Crime: Young People

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will place in the Library a copy of the  (a) agenda and  (b) minutes of the youth crime seminar held at No. 10 Downing Street on 8 November.

Vernon Coaker: The Youth Crime Seminar on 8 November was held as a series of events on youth crime, as part of the preparation of a new youth crime action plan, for publication in early 2008. The action plan is developing a renewed cross-Government (HO, DCSF, MoJ and partners) approach to youth crime. The published plan will take account of the recommendations from the seminar and all other work with stakeholders including a follow-up to the seminar.

Criminal Justice Act 2003

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to be implemented.

David Hanson: I have been asked to reply.
	No decision has yet been taken on an implementation date.

Drugs: Animal Experiments

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the merits of the use of non-human primates and other animals in recreational drug tests; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: The use of animals in scientific procedures is regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which is widely viewed as the most rigorous piece of legislation of its type in the world. In order to be licensed under the 1986 Act, a project must be for one of the 'permissible purposes' listed in section 5(3) of the Act. These include: the prevention (whether by the testing of any product or otherwise) or the diagnosis or treatment of disease, ill health or abnormality, or their effects, in man, animals or plants; the assessment, detection, regulation or modification of physiological conditions in man, animals or plants; and the advancement of knowledge in biological or behavioural sciences. Any projects licensed under the 1986 Act involving the use of so-called recreational drugs would have to satisfy one or more of these requirements.
	Licensed studies involving such drugs may provide valuable new information about the modes of action of the individual drugs and drug addiction and abuse in general, their short and long-term adverse effects, and how these can be avoided or managed. Such insights are essential to better inform the prevention and treatment of these activities and conditions. Many such drugs are also currently used or are being further evaluated, for legitimate clinical use.

Identity Cards: Costs

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) standalone passports issued,  (b) standalone identity cards issued and  (c) identity cards issued jointly with passports are included in the estimate of the annual volume of products issued in table 4 of the November 2007 identity cards cost report.

Meg Hillier: Providing a specific breakdown of estimated future numbers of ID cards, passports and combination products that underpins the projection of costs set out in the Cost Report is commercially sensitive information that would potentially jeopardise the recently commenced supplier dialogues for the procurement of services required to operate the National Identity Scheme.
	The number of estimated passports to be issued in the year 2007-08, as reported in the IPS Business Plan, is 6.2 million.

Identity Cards: Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the cost referred to in the Identity Cards Scheme Cost Report of November 2007 as common to passports and identity cards would be incurred in order to introduce biometric passports alone.

Meg Hillier: The latest six monthly Identity Cards Scheme Cost Report, published on 8 November 2007, sets out those elements of the cost estimates that relate specifically to passports, those specific to identity cards and those that are common to both. The cost of registering individuals for passports and ID cards is included in common costs because the same technology infrastructure and business processes will be used. In many cases, the same application will result in the issue of both a passport and an ID card.
	The latest Cost Report may be found at:
	http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/publications-legislative.asp
	I would refer the hon. Member to that report.
	Since the merger of the Home Office identity cards programme and the UK Passport Service to create the Identity and Passport Service on 1 April 2006, projects to deliver biometric passports, identity cards and other improvements have been necessarily combined. As much of the functionality needed to implement identity cards is also required for the implementation of biometric passports, this is the most cost-effective way to deliver these initiatives.

Identity Cards: Post Offices

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with the chief executive of the Identity and Passport Service on the role that post offices could play in the enrolment process for identity cards and biometric passports.

Meg Hillier: holding answer 14 November 2007
	The Home Secretary has regular discussions with the chief executive of the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) about many aspects of IPS business, including the rollout of the national identity scheme.
	As set out in the Strategic Action Plan for the National Identity Scheme, the Government are keen to use existing assets and infrastructure, where appropriate, to deliver the scheme. The post office already acts as a partner organisation to IPS providing the Check and Send service for passport applications. No final decision has been made as yet regarding the infrastructure for the biometric enrolment process.

Mobile Phones: Theft

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crime numbers were issued by the police for  (a) lost and  (b) stolen mobile phones in each of the last five years (i) in England and Wales and (ii) broken down by police force area.

Tony McNulty: Information on crime numbers issued is not collected centrally. The Home Office collects statistics on offences recorded by the police but thefts of mobile phones cannot be separately identified from thefts of other items.

National Security

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to publish the findings of Lord West's study into security at crowded public places and sites of critical national infrastructure.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's statement of 14 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 44-45 WS which sets out the main conclusions of the Lord West's review of protective security, a copy of which has been placed in the House Library.

Passport: Interviews

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the passport interview office at Chandlery, Berwick-upon-Tweed, is expected to open.

Meg Hillier: holding answer 15 November 2007
	The Identity and Passport Service is in the course of establishing 69 offices in the UK to interview adult first time passport applicants. The Berwick-upon-Tweed interview office is scheduled to open in January 2008 at Units 3 and 4, The Chandlery, The Quayside, Berwick Upon Tweed, TD15 1HE.

Personation: Eastern Region

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in  (a) the East of England and  (b) Suffolk reported being a victim of identity fraud in each of the last five years.

Meg Hillier: The information requested is not available centrally because there is no single offence of identity fraud. Instead there is a range of criminal offences, including under the Identity Cards Act 2006 and the Fraud Act 2006, which cover fraudulent activity that can include elements of identity fraud. Statistics on the number of reported cases under these provisions will be incorporated into recorded crime figures and published in the normal way.

Police Patrolling

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests were made by police officers in England and Wales while on foot patrol in each of the last five years; and what percentage of arrests made in England and Wales this represents.

Tony McNulty: The arrests collection undertaken by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform only provides data on persons arrested for recorded crime (notifiable offences) by age group, gender, ethnicity, and main offence group, i.e. violence against the person, sexual offences, robbery, burglary, drugs offences etc. More detailed data about circumstances behind arrests do not form part of this collection.

Police Stations

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations have  (a) opened and  (b) closed in the Metropolitan police area in each year since 2002.

Tony McNulty: The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and the Chief Officer, in this case the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, who are responsible for assessing local needs.

Police: Airports

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which airports within the UK have a regular police presence; and which police authorities are required to provide that presence in  (a) England,  (b) Wales,  (c) Scotland and  (d) Northern Ireland.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 19 November 2007
	The uniformed police presence at airports in the UK is for local negotiation between the airport operator and the relevant police force. The nine airports designated under the Aviation Security Act 1982 have a permanent uniformed police presence, the cost of which the airport operator is required to pay. Those airports are London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow International, Glasgow Prestwick, Birmingham and Manchester. At non-designated airports, they either have a dedicated police presence or the police attend when there is an operational need to do so. These costs are funded wholly or partly by the police authority in which that airport is located, or by other means, for example, voluntary contributions by the airport operator.
	The system of designation and the cost of policing airports was raised in the Independent Review of Airport Policing 2006. The Secretary of State for Transport and I are currently reviewing the process to enable the recovery of the agreed associated policing costs from airport operators at all airports that have a permanent policing presence.
	In addition, there is a Special Branch presence at most airports. Those police officers are from the relevant local police force and a contribution towards the costs in England and Wales is provided by the Home Office or, for airports in Scotland, the Scottish Government.

Prison Accommodation: London Airports

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) police and  (b) immigration holding cells there were at each London airport in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: Provision of cells by the police is a matter for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan police and the respective chief constables. However, I understand that in all cases local police stations are used and there are no cells in the airport terminals.
	The Border and Immigration Agency has for the last five years used four holding rooms at Heathrow and one each at Luton, Stansted and London City airports. At Gatwick South Terminal there was one room in 2002. A second room was added in 2003. At the North Terminal there is one room plus a family room that can be used as a holding room. People who are detained for short periods under the Immigration Acts or are being removed from the United Kingdom are held in these holding rooms.

Respect Task Force

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the degree to which the Respect Task Force has met its objectives; and if she will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	The Respect Task Force worked across Government and set out an ambitious programme of work to build a modern culture of respect, setting out its objectives in the Respect Action Plan published in January 2006.
	Through the Respect programme, we introduced new approaches to tackle the root causes of antisocial behaviour. Key commitments in the Government's Respect Action Plan have now been met and mainstreamed locally.
	Independent evaluation of the Government's strategy show that it is working well. The National Audit Office study (2006) showed that the powers available were successful at stopping antisocial behaviour. Public perceptions of antisocial behaviour being a problem locally are down as shown in the British Crime Survey and the Local Government User Satisfaction Survey 2006-07.
	The Government are committed to building on the excellent progress made across the country, working with local authorities and the police to tackle the problems on the ground but also to deal with the root causes through early intervention and prevention.

Terrorism

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in taking decisions on proscription of organisations under counter-terrorism legislation, she takes account of whether other countries proscribe such organisations.

Tony McNulty: The Terrorism Act 2000 provides that the Secretary of State may exercise her power to proscribe an organisation only if she believes that it is concerned in terrorism. If this legal test is met, there are a further five factors which the Secretary of State will have reference to when deciding whether or not to exercise her discretion to proscribe the organisation. These five factors are:
	(1) The nature and scale of an organisation's activities
	(2) The specific threat that it poses to the United Kingdom
	(3) The specific threat that it poses to British nationals overseas
	(4) The extent of the organisation's presence in the United Kingdom
	(5) The need to support other members of the international community in the global fight against terrorism.
	The position of other countries, including whatever action those countries may have taken against the organisation in question (including proscription), may, if relevant, form part of the information which the Secretary of State considers under the fifth factor noted above.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

COBRA

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the  (a) date and  (b) purpose of each COBRA meeting chaired by the Prime Minister and held since May 1997 was.

Gillian Merron: As is the case with information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet and Cabinet committees, including the number of meetings held and topics discussed, details about COBRA meetings are generally not disclosed.

Departmental Public Consultations

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what opinion polls his Department has conducted of  (a) the public and  (b) staff since 27 June 2007; and what the (i) name of the firm employed to conduct the poll, (ii) purpose and (iii) cost to the public purse was in each case.

Gillian Merron: The Cabinet Office has not centrally conducted any opinions polls of the public since 27 June 2007.
	The Cabinet Office has centrally conducted a number of internal surveys since March 2007 to gather staff views at no cost to the public purse.
	Information on individual management units conducting their own opinion polls of either the public or of staff can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Disabled

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which buildings occupied by his Department  (a) are and  (b) are not fully accessible to disabled people.

Gillian Merron: Of the 14 buildings occupied by the Cabinet Office, eight are considered to be fully accessible and six are considered to be not fully accessible to disabled people. Most of the not fully accessible buildings are listed. Accessibility improvements are being implemented as part of an ongoing rolling programme of work, involving English Heritage and the local planning authority as necessary in the context of making adaptations to the grade 1 and 2 listed buildings.

Dorneywood

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether  (a) electronic and  (b) hard copy guidance, in addition to the Ministerial Code, has been circulated by the Government on the use of Dorneywood by Departments and Ministers, other than the Chancellor of the Exchequer as the official resident.

Gillian Merron: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 30 October 2007,  Official Report, column 1077W.
	Copies of the ministerial code are available in the Library of the House for the reference of Members and also on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/upload/assets/www.cabinet office.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ministerial_code_ current.pdf

Public Bodies: Internet

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans the Cabinet Office has to prevent public authorities from using the .gov.uk domain name if they do not meet accessibility standards.

Gillian Merron: The Government's objective is to ensure that all public sector websites are accessible. To encourage wider access to public services online and to help Departments fulfil their duty under the Disability Discrimination Act, the Government set minimum standards for public sector website accessibilitywhether or not they use the .gov.uk domain name.
	The Government also set the policies for the registration of .gov.uk domain names. Options for ensuring that all websites with .gov.uk domain names meet the Government's minimum accessibility standards were included in draft guidance for consultation (Delivering Inclusive Websites (TG102)). We will be considering responses to the consultation to assess the most effective means of meeting the overall objective of ensuring accessibility.

Smoking

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff have been disciplined for smoking inside the premises of the Cabinet Office.

Gillian Merron: No staff have been disciplined for smoking inside the premises of the Cabinet Office.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Expenditure

Francis Maude: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission how much the Electoral Commission spent on  (a) foreign travel and foreign subsistence and  (b) hospitality in 2006-07.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that, in 2006-07, expenditure on overseas travel and subsistence was 5,942 and on hospitality 61,545. This latter figure includes hospitality to external guests; refreshments for stakeholder meetings and working lunches; and the organisation by the Commission of conferences and public meetings.

Public and Commercial Services Union

Francis Maude: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission if he will place in the Library a copy of the recognition agreement between the Electoral Commission and the Public and Commercial Services Union.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that it has done so.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departmental Expenditure: DfID

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his written ministerial statement of 15 November 2007,  Official Report, column 92WS, on Departmental Expenditure (DfID), if he will make a statement on the transfer from his Department's budget of 1 million to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in relation to the London 2012 International Sport Development Initiative.

Douglas Alexander: DFID recognises the potential to promote development through sport as a way of improving the lives of young people in developing countries. DFID has therefore agreed to work with UNICEF and others on the London 2012 Sport Development Initiative. DFID is providing 1 million to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport this financial year and a further 1 million next financial year by way of contribution to the initiative. This funding will go towards the implementation of pilot programmes in Zambia, Brazil, Palau, India and Azerbaijan.

Departmental Flexible Working

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff  (a) have applied to work flexible hours and  (b) work flexible hours (i) in the Department and (ii) the Executive agencies for which the Department is responsible.

Shahid Malik: DFID is committed to improving the work/life balance of its staff, and provides a wide range of flexible work pattern options.
	On joining DFID, and at any subsequent time, all staff have the option to request to join our Flexible Working Hours Scheme (FWHS). Agreement to this is made by line managers, taking into account the operating needs of their unit. Options include home and remote working, term-time working, reduced hours, compressed hours and flexible start and finish times.
	We do not retain a central register of staff who have asked to join our FWHS, nor of all those who are working under those arrangements. In our recent Management Survey, 84 per cent. of DFID staff strongly believed their line managers actively support flexible working.
	DFID does not have responsibility for any Executive agencies.

Departmental Public Participation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what opinion polls the Department has conducted of  (a) the public and  (b) staff since 27 June 2007; and what the (i) name of the firm employed to conduct the poll, (ii) purpose and (iii) cost to the public purse was in each case.

Shahid Malik: Since 27 June 2007, DFID has conducted one opinion survey of the UK public and one survey of staff. Details are as follows:
	 Public survey
	Delivered by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), contracted via the Central Office of Information (COI) following a tender process.
	Purpose: assess public understanding of poverty in developing countries and awareness of the Millennium Development Goals and measures to reach them.
	Overall cost: 47,500 + VAT (including COI fees).
	 Staff survey
	DFID Management Survey 2007 was managed in-house.
	Purpose: to help continually monitor and improve how DFID is managed.
	Overall cost: Staff and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) resources were all in-house and so can not be disaggregated without disproportionate cost.

Departmental Publicity

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many full-time equivalent staff are responsible for brand management and marketing in his Department and its agencies.

Shahid Malik: DFID employs eight full-time equivalent staff who are responsible for a range of marketing and communication activities. Their work incorporates the production of publications, a departmental magazine, work on commissioning audience research, support to communications officers in countries outside of the UK and, where necessary, work related to brand management. There is not one person with sole responsibility for brand management.

Forced Labour: Children

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress his Department has made in helping  (a) reduce and  (b) prevent child labour in (i) Asia, (ii) Africa and (iii) Latin America.

Shahid Malik: DFID is helping to reduce and prevent child labour by tackling the underlying poverty that is at the root of the problem. Our support to national governments enables them to create alternative livelihood opportunities for families and increase access to appropriate, good quality education for all children. In addition DFID is supporting a number of targeted programmes through UN bodies and civil society organisations. Examples include:
	i. In Asia we have committed over 5 million to the International Labour Organisation's Elimination of Child Labour Programme in Andhra Pradesh. This is helping children leave work and get into school, along-side supporting new income generating programmes for their parents.
	ii. In Africa we are providing 120 million this year to support the Government of Tanzania's National Strategy for Growth and Poverty Reduction in which child labour has been identified as a key poverty challenge. We are working with UNICEF in 13 countries to support orphans and vulnerable children to access education and to protect them from abuse including harmful child labour. We also supported their work to disarm, demobilise and reintegrate former child soldiers.
	iii. In Latin America DFID is supporting the work of non-governmental organisations in the region, including over 400,000 to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA UK) who are helping to reduce the number of working children in Lima, Peru.

UN High Commission for Refugees

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what  (a) vaccination,  (b) treatment services and  (c) complementary livestock feeding has been undertaken by the UN High Commission for Refugees and its implementing partners in 2007.

Shahid Malik: UNHCR is not able at this stage to provide 2007 data on vaccination programmes and treatment services. Data are currently being collated for publication in UNHCR's Global Report 2007 which will be published in March next year. UNHCR has no complementary livestock feeding programmes.
	The target population of UNHCR and its implementing partners for vaccination programmes and treatment services are refugee children under five. UNHCR has established an annual programme of immunisation against eight major childhood diseases and provides free treatment and health services through its implementing partners. Where possible, it also provides local health services in fourteen countries in Africa and Asia.
	With the exception of Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), UNHCR's immunisation and treatment services reached 90 per cent. of the target population in 2006. Expectations are that coverage will be maintained or increased in 2007.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Convictions: Racial Violence

Jo Swinson: To ask the Solicitor-General how many  (a) charges and  (b) convictions there have been for the offence of incitement to religious hatred.

Vera Baird: The relevant provisions of the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 were only implemented on 1 October 2006. So far, no one has been charged under these provisions and, accordingly, there have been no convictions.

Crown Prosecution Service: Essex

David Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General when HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) last produced a report on the effectiveness of the Crown Prosecution Service in Essex; under what legislation HMCPSI produce effectiveness reports; what recent representations she has received on the effectiveness of the Crown Prosecution Service in Essex; and if she will make a statement.

Vera Baird: HM Crown Prosecution Service conducted an Area Effectiveness Inspection of CPS Essex in January 2007 and was pleased to take into account the evidence contributed by the hon. Member. Such inspections are carried out as part of HMCPSI's functions under section 2(1)(a) of the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate Act 2000. The report was published on 7 August 2007 and HM Chief Inspector wrote to the hon. Member enclosing a copy.
	HMCPSI has received no representations since then about the performance of the CPS in Essex but made a further visit to Essex in October as part of its series of Overall Performance Assessments. That report is currently being prepared and is expected to be published in January or February 2008.

Prosecutions

David Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions for criminal offences have been pursued in  (a) Essex and  (b) England by the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last two years, broken down by offence.

Vera Baird: I have placed in the Library a table which shows the number of defendants whose case was completed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in each of the last two years in England (excluding Wales) and in CPS Essex.
	The majority of cases completed by the CPS are allocated to one of 12 broad categories indicating the principal offence with which the defendant was charged. The table shows the total number of cases prosecuted; together with the number and proportion of cases falling into each of these broad offence categories. The comparatively small number of cases that are not assigned a broad offence category include those that are administratively finalised, for example, those in which the defendant has died or cannot be traced before the case is concluded.
	The table also shows the volume and the proportion of cases resulting in a conviction and in an unsuccessful outcome, in total and for each of the principal offence categories.

Sentencing

Michael Penning: To ask the Solicitor-General in how many cases she asked the Crown Prosecution Service to send her trial papers because of concern about the leniency of a sentence in each month of the last five years.

Vera Baird: The Attorney-General's Office publishes annual statistics on unduly lenient sentence references on its website www.attorneygeneral.gsi.gov.uk. The statistics are recorded by reference to each calendar year and are not broken down by individual month.
	The Law Officers receive requests to review sentences as possible unduly lenient sentences from the prosecution authority, Members of Parliament, victims and members of the public.
	The following table shows the numbers of offenders whose sentences were considered as possible unduly lenient sentences by the Law Officers in each of the last five years for which full statistics have been published.
	
		
			   Offenders considered by the law officers 
			 2002 290 
			 2003 270 
			 2004 398 
			 2005 352 
			 2006 359

Sentencing

Michael Penning: To ask the Solicitor-General how many unduly lenient sentences she referred to the Court of Appeal in each of the last five years.

Vera Baird: The Attorney-General's Office publishes annual statistics on unduly lenient sentence references on its website
	www.attorneygeneral.gsi.gov.uk.
	The following table shows the number of offenders whose sentences were referred to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient, the number of offenders whose references were subsequently withdrawn and the number of offenders who were therefore brought before the Court of Appeal in each of the last five years for which full statistics have been published.
	
		
			   Offenders referred to Court of Appeal  Withdrawn references  Offenders brought to the Court of Appeal 
			 2002 148 9 139 
			 2003 102 6 96 
			 2004 159 22 137 
			 2005 127 19 108 
			 2006 160 16 144

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Assets

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what departmental assets are planned to be sold in each financial year from 2007-08 to 2010-11; what the  (a) description and  (b) book value of each such asset is; what the expected revenue from each such sale is; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The following table illustrates the Northern Ireland Office's assets (excluding its Agencies and Executive NDPBs) which are planned to be sold in each financial year from 2007-08 to 2010-11.
	
		
			  000 
			  Description of asset  Net book value (NBV) at 30 September 2007  2007-08 Actual/expected revenue ( 3) 2008-09 to 2010-11 expected revenue 
			 Surplus land 64,498 65,961 0 
			 Office building and land 4,800 0 4,800 
			 Residential properties (1) 6,552 (2)3,308 (3)4,059 
			 (1) The addresses of residential properties have not been provided for security reasons. (2) The expected revenue of residential properties disposed of in 2007-08 is based on the proceeds received to date, plus the forecast receipts for the remainder of the year. (3) For the planned disposals in the years 2008-09 to 2010-11 it is assumed that assets will be sold at their net book value. The Department is still finalising details of the actual year each property will be sold in, a breakdown of these annual figures will be provided in the Department's CSR07 Asset management Strategy which is due to be published in December 2007.

Departmental Cost Effectiveness

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what efficiency savings projects his Department put in place under the Spending Review 2004 targets; on what date each was initiated; how much each was expected to contribute to the target; how much was saved by each; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: Details of the Northern Ireland Office's efficiency savings in relation to Spending Review 2004 can be seen in the NIO's Efficiency Technical Note. A copy has been placed in the Library.

Departmental Repairs and Maintenance

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by his Department on renovation and refurbishment of its properties in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The NIO does not record expenditure under the specific headings of renovation and refurbishment, and so to provide this information could be done only at disproportionate cost. I can provide expenditure on all maintenance and minor works costs which will include renovation and refurbishment. The figures therefore include renovation and refurbishment expenditure, including fit out costs of new accommodation, plus expenditure on reactive and planned maintenance, as well as health and safety maintenance, repairs to mechanical and electrical systems and associated fees.
	The rise in expenditure over the last two years is due to fit out costs for new accommodation for the Public Prosecution Service as a result of the roll out of a regional office network.
	
		
			   000 
			 2006-07 5,339 
			 2005-06 4,003 
			 2004-05 3,276 
			 2003-04 2,130 
			 2002-03 2,128

Departmental Wines

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to ensure that English wine is served exclusively or at the request of guests at meals, parties and receptions hosted by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: All public procurement procedures must comply with the EC Treaty. The key principles of the treaty, from a public procurement point of view, are the free movement of goods and services, and non-discrimination on the grounds of nationality. This legislation is designed to ensure that all public procurement across the European Union is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory.
	This means that my Department cannot specify that it will only buy goods (e.g. wine) from a particular country or locality, as that would discriminate against producers from other EU member states.
	However, the Government are committed to increasing opportunities for small and local suppliers to tender for contracts, thus enhancing competition and securing better value for money. My Department has done this by advertising its requirements, both locally and in accordance with the European Directives, thus offering all potential suppliers, large and small, the opportunity to compete for the Department's business.

Draft Marine Bill

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the likely impact of the provision of the Draft Marine Bill on Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: My officials have been kept informed as to how the Marine Bill will affect Northern Ireland. Officials in the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland are also closely involved in the development of the Bill. If the Bill seeks to legislate on matters that are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Administration, the consent of the Northern Ireland Assembly would have to be sought.

Drugs: Smuggling

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on reducing levels of drug trafficking in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: Tackling the illegal drugs trade in Northern Ireland is a key priority for the Government. In my role as chair of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) I have regular meetings with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other law enforcement agencies to consider ways of dealing with this problem.
	The OCTF also has a Drugs Expert subgroup, which meets on a quarterly basis to consider proactive ways of dealing with the supply and trafficking of illegal drugs. This is chaired by a senior police officer and its membership is comprised of representatives from all of the law enforcement agencies as well as the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
	There have been some notable successes: from April to September this year, drugs with an estimated street value of 1.6 million have been seized by the police; also, 1,726 people have been arrested for drug-related offences in 2006-07, an increase of almost 20 per cent. over the previous year.

Hazelwood School: Repairs and Maintenance

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the  (a) cost and  (b) construction timetable is of the proposed new wall at Hazelwood Integrated Primary School; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The estimated cost of the fence is 202,000.
	Preparatory ground work is now finished and the fence should be completed by mid January 2008.
	The decision taken to erect a security fence at Hazelwood Integrated Primary School was based on a PSNI security assessment. The on-going requirement for the fence will be subject to regular review.

Prisons

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cells in the prison estate in Northern Ireland are not in use; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: As of 13 November, the Northern Ireland Prison Service had a total of 299 vacant cellsMaghaberry 79, Magilligan 102, Hydebank Wood Male 97 (of which 72 are being refurbished) and Female 21 cells.
	The Magilligan figure includes a new 50 room unit which is due to be finally commissioned very shortly.
	As much of the accommodation is designated for specific categories of prisoner, this limits the flexibility in allocating prisoners to the available vacant cells, for example, males aged over 23 are not housed in Hydebank Wood and integrated prisoners do not share landings with separated prisoners in Maghaberry.

Sexual Offences

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were convicted of sexual offences against children in Northern Ireland in each of the last six years; and what sentence was imposed in each case where proceedings are complete.

Paul Goggins: Northern Ireland court proceedings and sentencing data sources do not include victim information in relation to the commission of an offence. It is therefore possible only to provide the number of convictions for those offences which, by their definition, identify a child as the victim. The following tables document the number convicted for such offences, the method of disposal and average custodial sentence length.
	Data cover the calendar years 2000 to 2005 (the latest available years) and are collated on the principal offence rule; therefore only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
	
		
			  Number of convictions and method of disposal and average custodial sentence length for sexual offences against children for the year 2000 
			  Offence  Convictions  Custodial sentence (ave .  sen t.  in months)  Suspended sentence  Supervision in the community  Conditional discharge  Absolute discharge  Fine 
			 Gross indecency with child 9 8 (18) 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 1 1 (24) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with girl 1 1 (84) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 3 3 (23) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 6 2 (5) 3 1 0 0 0 
			 Incest by man with female under 14 years 2 2 (90) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Indecent assault on female child 23 13 (20) 6 3 0 0 1 
			 Indecent assault on male child 7 5 (20) 1 1 0 0 0 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 4 2 (8) 0 1 0 0 1 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) with a view to distribution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Copying indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Publishing advertisement relating to indecent photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 57 37 (24) 11 7 0 0 2 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of convictions and method of disposal and average custodial sentence length for sexual offences against children for the year 2001 
			  Offence  Convictions  Custodial sentence (ave. sent. in months)  Suspended sentence  Supervision in the community  Conditional discharge  Absolute discharge  Fine 
			 Gross indecency with child 1 1 (18) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 2 1 (24) 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with girl 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 1 1 (108) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 3 1 (12) 1 1 0 0 0 
			 Incest by man with female under 14 years 1 1 (84) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Indecent assault on female child 8 6 (15) 2 0 0 0 0 
			 Indecent assault on male child 2 2 (12) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 2 1 (14) 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) with a view to distribution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 2 1 (84) 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Copying indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Publishing advertisement relating to indecent photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 24 15 (30) 4 5 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of convictions and method of disposal and average custodial sentence length for sexual offences against children for the year 2002 
			  Offence  Convictions  Custodial sentence (ave. sent. in months)  Suspended sentence  Supervision in the community  Conditional discharge  Absolute discharge  Fine 
			 Gross indecency with child 4 2 (14) 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 1 1 (72) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with girl 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 1 1 (48) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 1 1 (9) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Incest by man with female under 14 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Indecent assault on female child 2 2 (15) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Indecent assault on male child 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 2 1 (36) 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) with a view to distribution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 4 2 (8) 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Copying indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Publishing advertisement relating to indecent photographs of children 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 16 10 (24) 2 4 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of convictions and method of disposal and average custodial sentence length for sexual offences against children for the year 2003 
			  Offence  Convictions  Custodial sentence (ave. sent. in months)  Suspended sentence  Supervision in the community  Conditional discharge  Absolute discharge  Fine 
			 Gross indecency with child 6 5 (28) 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 1 1 (84) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with girl 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 1 1 (60) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 5 0 3 1 1 0 0 
			 Incest by man with female under 14 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Indecent assault on female child 3 3 (16) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Indecent assault on male child 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) with a view to distribution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 9 1 (24) 3 5 0 0 0 
			 Copying indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Publishing advertisement relating to indecent photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 29 11 (32) 8 7 1 0 2 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of convictions and method of disposal and average custodial sentence length for sexual offences against children for the year 2004 
			  Offence  Convictions  Custodial sentence (ave. sent. in months)  Suspended sentence  Supervision in the community  Conditional discharge  Absolute discharge  Fine 
			 Gross indecency with child 3 3 (17) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 6 4 (107) 2 0 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with girl 1 1 (24) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 4 3 (20) 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 
			 Incest by man with female under 14 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Indecent assault on female child 3 2 (18) 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Indecent assault on male child 4 2 (48) 2 0 0 0 0 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 1 1 (12) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) 1 1 (6) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) with a view to distribution 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 8 2 (7) 1 5 0 0 0 
			 Copying indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 2 1 (12) 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Publishing advertisement relating to indecent photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 7 4 (9) 0 2 1 0 0 
			 Total 43 24 (30) 8 10 1 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of convictions and method of disposal and average custodial sentence length for sexual offences against children for the year 2005 
			  Offence  Convictions  Custodial sentence (Ave. sent, in months)  Suspended sentence  Supervision in the community  Conditional discharge  Absolute discharge  Fine 
			 Gross indecency with child 6 3 (14) 2 1 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 1 1 (96) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Buggery with girl 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 3 3 (17) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 4 0 2 2 0 0 0 
			 Incest by man with female under 14 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Indecent assault on female child 18 13 (82) 1 3 0 0 1 
			 Indecent assault on male child 5 3 (45) 2 0 0 0 0 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) 2 1 (18) 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Possessing indecent photographs of child(ren) with a view to distribution 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Copying indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Publishing advertisement relating to indecent photographs of children 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 10 5 (14) 0 4 0 1 0 
			 Total 51 29 (51) 10 10 0 1 1

TREASURY

Absenteeism: Government Departments

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department  (a) were disciplined and  (b) had their employment terminated as a result of a poor sickness record in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: There have been no such cases within the last five years.

Alcoholic Drinks: Greater London

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many alcohol-attributable deaths there were in  (a) each London borough and  (b) the Greater London area in (i) each of the last four financial years and (ii) 2007-08.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Dennis Roberts, dated 20 November 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many alcohol-attributable deaths there were in (a) each London borough and (b) the Greater London area in (i) each of the last four financial years and (ii) 2007-08. I am replying in her absence. (166499)
	The attached table provides the number of deaths with an alcohol-related underlying cause in (a) each London borough and (b) Greater London for the financial years 2002-03 to 2005-06. The latest year of data available is 2006, so we are unable to provide data for 2007-08.
	
		
			  Table 1: number of deaths with an alcohol-related underlying cause of death( 1) , London boroughs and Greater London( 2,3) , financial years 2002-03 to 2005-06( 4) 
			  Deaths (persons) 
			  Area  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 City of London 1 0 2 0 
			 Barking and Dagenham 19 19 18 18 
			 Barnet 25 29 24 19 
			 Bexley 23 27 23 21 
			 Brent 31 41 23 36 
			 Bromley 20 27 24 28 
			 Camden 41 33 25 25 
			 Croydon 38 27 35 24 
			 Ealing 34 40 45 35 
			 Enfield 12 24 30 21 
			 Greenwich 25 25 24 29 
			 Hackney 17 22 25 25 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 25 19 35 33 
			 Haringey 23 16 20 29 
			 Harrow 18 12 18 22 
			 Havering 16 23 18 15 
			 Hillingdon 25 21 29 42 
			 Hounslow 28 40 41 25 
			 Islington 32 26 22 15 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 22 17 10 14 
			 Kingston upon Thames 25 17 19 11 
			 Lambeth 30 29 34 32 
			 Lewisham 29 40 29 30 
			 Merton 20 22 19 12 
			 Newham 30 29 35 35 
			 Redbridge 18 24 11 30 
			 Richmond upon Thames 17 32 22 24 
			 Southwark 40 29 32 28 
			 Sutton 9 16 12 15 
			 Tower Hamlets 17 23 26 18 
			 Waltham Forest 20 19 17 20 
			 Wandsworth 36 22 31 22 
			 Westminster 36 30 27 30 
			 Greater London 802 820 805 783 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). The specific causes of death categorised as alcohol-related, and their corresponding ICD-10 codes, are shown in the box below. (2) Based on boundaries as of 2007. (3) Figures for Greater London are equal to the total for all London boroughs, for each financial year. (4) Figures are for deaths registered in each financial year. 
		
	
	
		
			  Box 1. Alcohol-related causes of deathInternational Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) 
			  Cause of death  ICD-10 code(s) 
			 Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol F10 
			 Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol G31.2 
			 Alcoholic polyneuropathy G62.1 
			 Alcoholic cardiomyopathy 142.6 
			 Alcoholic gastritis K29.2 
			 Alcoholic liver disease K70 
			 Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified K73 
			 Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver (excl. Biliary cirrhosis) K74 (excl. K74.3-K74.5) 
			 Alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis K86.0 
			 Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X45 
			 Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to alcohol X65 
			 Poisoning by and exposure to alcohol, undetermined intent Y15

Buildings: Cabinet Office

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) total area and  (b) vacant space for the (i) Cabinet Office's and (ii) Prime Minister's Offices as recorded on the Electronic Property Information Mapping Service database was in (i) 1997 or the earliest date thereafter for which figures are available and (ii) the latest time for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: In 2005-06 the total area for the Cabinet Office estate (including the Prime Minister's Offices) recorded on the Electronic Property Information Mapping Service (e-PIMS) database was 161, 673.2 m(2). The amount of vacant space recorded on e-PIMS for the Cabinet Office estate in 2005-06 was 676 m(2).
	The total area currently recorded on e-PIMS for the Cabinet Office estate (including the Prime Minister's Offices) is 153,794.8 m(2). The amount of vacant space for the Cabinet Office estate currently recorded on e-PIMS is 4,635.4 m(2).

Cumbria

Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department plans to move any of its offices to Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency.

Angela Eagle: HM Treasury Group published its plans to relocate posts from London and the Southeast in its Efficiency Technical Notice, published in December 2006:
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/c/1/hmt_efficiencytechnical note_141206.pdf

Death

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many unnatural deaths have taken place in the UK in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls with the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 November 2007:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many unnatural deaths have taken place in the UK in each of the last five years. (166494)
	The latest available data for the UK are for 2005. As there is no National Statistics definition of unnatural deaths, the table below contains the number of deaths from diseases and the number from all injury and poisoning in the UK from 2001 to 2005.
	
		
			  Number of deaths by cause, United Kingdom, 2001 to 2005( 1) 
			   Deaths from diseases( 2)  Deaths from injury and poisoning( 3) 
			 2001 582,733 19,535 
			 2002 587,026 19,190 
			 2003 591,635 19,553 
			 2004 563,514 19,568 
			 2005 563,279 19,384 
			 (1) Figures for England and Wales are of deaths occurring in each calendar year. Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are of deaths registered in each calendar year. (2) Defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes A00-R99. (3) Defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes V01-Y89.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the guidance set out in the model contract and code of conduct for special advisers, what  (a) notices of external employment and  (b) other conflicts of interest were declared by his Department's former special adviser, the right hon. Member for Normanton (Ed Balls), between 2 May 1997 and 1 July 2004.

Angela Eagle: Special advisers are employed under terms and conditions set out in the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. The rules for civil servants, including special advisers, who wish to take up other employment in addition to their civil service duties are set out in Section 4.3 of the Civil Service Management Code. The principles on conflicts of interest are set out in Section 4.1

Departmental Policy

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which new policy priorities received strategic reserve allocations in the core Treasury in each year since 2003-04; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The Strategic Reserve has been used by the Treasury since 2005-06 as a means of internally funding non-recurrent costs, including new policy priorities. The main new policy priorities that were funded from the Strategic Reserve in 2005-06 and 2006-07 are set out in the 2006 Departmental Report, paragraph C6 on page 107, and the 2006-07 Annual Report and Accounts, paragraph 7.51 on page 98. Similar information in relation to 2007-08 will be published in the 2007-08 Annual Report and Accounts. The Treasury's departmental reports are available from:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/departmental_reports/deptreport_index.cfm.

Departmental Procurement

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to page 7 of HM Treasury Efficiency Technical Note (December 2006), what value and percentage of directorate purchases were made through central non-pay contracts in each year since 1998; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is as follows.
	
		
			  Financial year  Non pay spend ( million )  Spend through OGCbuying.solutions  c entral  c ontracts ( million )  Percentage 
			 2004-05 43.74 1.660 3.8 
			 2005-06 46.56 2.419 5.2 
			 2006-07 44.92 3.177 7.1 
		
	
	The data for the financial years prior to 2004-05 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) contractor and  (b) temporary staff headcount was in the (i) core Treasury, (ii) Office of Government Commerce, (iii) Office of Government Commerce Buying Solutions and (iv) Debt Management Office; how much was spent on (A) agency staff and (B) consultants by each body in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Information on staff numbers and costs is published in the Treasury's Annual Report and Accounts, available from
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/departmental_reports/deptreport_index.cfm
	showing data for the core Treasury as well as for the Treasury Group consolidating the Office of Government Commerce and the Debt Management Office. Chapter 7 of the Annual Report and Accounts shows spending on consultants. The Debt Management Office and OGCbuying.solutions separately publish their own accounts, available from
	http://www.dmo.gov.uk/index.aspx?page=publications/Annual_Reports
	and
	http://www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk/information/information_corporate.asp

EU Budget

Graham Brady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what financial year he expects the European Court of Auditors to be able to approve the European Union's accounts.

Kitty Ussher: The Government support the European Commission's objective to strive for a positive Statement of Assurance by 2009.

Financial Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what involvement Ministers had in the scenario testing of the effectiveness of the tripartite arrangements between his Department, the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 19 November 2007
	 The tripartite arrangements have been tested regularly over recent years. For public policy reasons details of the scenarios are not published where they cover financial stability events. Reports on these exercises can be found on the UK Financial Sector Continuity website
	www.fsc.gov.uk.
	The Economic Secretary to the Treasury participated in financial stability exercises in October 2005, November 2006 and March 2007. There has also been some ministerial participation in business continuity planning exercises. The Chancellor's and Economic Secretary to the Treasury participated in a joint US-UK 'exercise' in February 2007.

Immigrants: Republic of Ireland

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many citizens of the Republic of Ireland he estimates are resident in the UK; and what estimate he has made of the likely change in this figure over the next 10 years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 November 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question asking how many citizens of the Republic of Ireland are resident in the UK; and the estimate of the likely change in this figure over the next 10 years. (164969)
	At the time of the 2001 Census, 472,380 people in England and Wales gave their country of birth as Republic of Ireland. This figure has been extracted from 2001 Census Table KS05Country of Birth.
	Figures for Northern Ireland and Scotland can be found in the publications Northern Ireland Census 2001 Key Statistics and Key Statistics for Council areas and Health Board areas Scotland 2001, copies of which can be found in the House of Commons Library.
	There are no official projections of the population by nationality.

Immigration: Chipping Barnet

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the impact of inward migration on economic activity in Chipping Barnet constituency over the last 10 years;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the impact of inward migration on the labour market in Chipping Barnet constituency over the last 10 years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 November 2007:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary questions on economic activity and the labour market in Chipping Barnet. (164622, 164698)
	Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the main summary indicator of economic activity in the UK. Because data collection, estimation and reporting are not structured according to demographic groups, the national accounts framework does not however make it possible to identify the direct contribution of immigrants to the measured levels of economic activity.
	The Office for National Statistics compiles statistics for labour supply indicators for local areas from the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	The data for analysing migrant workers comes from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The National Statistics method for estimating the number of migrant workers employed in the UK is routinely based on the number of people at a given time who were born abroad, are of working age (16-64 for men, 16-59 for women), and in employment. This question has been answered on this basis. It means, for example, that some people who are UK nationals will be included in the total of foreign born and that people who are working but are above state pension age are not included.
	When interpreting these figures, it is important to bear in mind that the LFS and APS are not designed to cover everyone who is present in the UK. The survey may undercount the numbers of people who were born overseas. The reasons are set out in the table footnote.
	The LFS estimates at this detailed level are only available consistent with the UK population estimates published in February and March 2003 and are not comparable with the estimates published in the Labour Market Statistics First Release on 14 November 2007, which are based on latest population estimates.
	The table attached, shows the numbers of employed, unemployed and economically active persons of working age who were not born in the UK and were resident in Chipping Barnet, for the 12 month periods ending in February for 2001 to 2004 from the annual LFS, and for the 12 month periods ending in March 2005, March 2006 and December 2006 from the APS (the January to December 2006 APS dataset is the most recent for which information on country of birth is currently available). The table also shows the numbers of non-UK born economically active persons as percentages of all economically active persons of working age, in the area. Data on country of birth are not available on annual LFS datasets before 2000.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas, they are based on small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty. Estimates of change over time should be treated with particular caution.
	
		
			  Economic activity status of working age( 1)  non-UK born people in the Chipping Barnet constituency 
			   Thousand  
			  12 months ending  Employment level  Unemployment level  Economically active  Non-UK born economically actives as percentage of all economically actives 
			 February 2001 10 1 11 21 
			 February 2002 8 8 * 18 
			 February 2003 7 7 * 17 
			 February 2004 10 10 * 22 
			 March 2005 15 3 18 36 
			 March 2006 13 * 14 25 
			 December 2006 11 1 13 27 
			 (1) Includes males aged 16-64 and females aged 16-59. * Sample size too small to provide estimate. Estimates are subject to sampling variability  Notes: It should also be noted that the country of birth question in the LFS gives an undercount because :- it excludes certain people who have not been resident in the UK for six months. it excludes students in halls who do not have a UK resident parent. it excludes people in most other types of communal establishments (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites, etc). it is grossed to population estimates which exclude migrants staying for less than 12 months. microdata are grossed to population estimates consistent with those published in spring 2003 which are significantly lower than the latest population estimates.  Source: Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population survey.

Immigration: France

Colin Burgon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of levels of migration to the UK by individuals from French overseas departments and former French colonies since 2002.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 November 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what estimate has been made of the levels of migration to the UK by individuals from French overseas departments and former French colonies since 2002. (166694)
	Estimates of immigration to the UK from French overseas departments and former French colonies can not be produced at this level of geographic detail.

Leukaemia

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were  (a) diagnosed with and  (b) died from leukaemia in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 November 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people have  (a) been diagnosed with and  (b) died from leukaemia in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997. (165402)
	The latest available figures for  (a) newly diagnosed cases of cancer (incidence) are for the year 2004 (United Kingdom). Numbers of cases of leukaemia for the years 1997 to 2004 for (i) Jarrow Parliamentary Constituency, (ii) South Tyneside County District, (iii) North East Government Office Region and (iv) United Kingdom are given in Table 1 below.
	The latest available figures for  (b) deaths are for the year 2006. Numbers of deaths from leukaemia for the years 1997 to 2006 for (i) Jarrow Parliamentary Constituency, (ii) South Tyneside County District, (iii) North East Government Office Region and (iv) United Kingdom are given in Table 2 below.
	
		
			  Table 1. Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of leukaemia( 1) : Jarrow parliamentary constituency, South Tyneside county district, North East government office region and United Kingdom, 1997-2004 
			   Jarrow  South Tyneside  North East  United Kingdom 
			 1997 9 23 316 7,217 
			 1998 15 30 296 7,125 
			 1999 11 22 298 7,442 
			 2000 3 15 299 7,332 
			 2001 6 16 292 7,321 
			 2002 6 13 273 7,210 
			 2003 9 21 272 7,291 
			 2004 3 7 214 7,000 
			 (1) Cancer of the leukaemia is defined as code C91-C95 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10).  Source:  Office for National Statistics Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit. Scottish Cancer Registry, National Health Service in Scotland Northern Ireland Cancer Registry 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2. Number of deaths where leukaemia,( 1)  was the underlying cause of death: Jarrow parliamentary constituency, South Tyneside county district, North East government office region and United Kingdom, 1997-20062,5 
			   Jarrow  South Tyneside  North East  United Kingdom 
			 1997 9 18 169 3,993 
			 1998 5 16 191 3,975 
			 1999 6 12 183 4,095 
			 2000 8 15 178 3,981 
			 2001 1 9 185 4,229 
			 2002 2 8 186 4,334 
			 2003 2 10 186 4,371 
			 2004 2 7 167 4,265 
			 2005 5 15 188 4,332 
			 2006 7 7 199 4,311 
			 (1) Cause of death for leukaemia was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 204-208 and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C91-C95. The introduction of ICD-10 in 2001 means that the numbers of deaths from this cause before 2001 are not completely comparable with later years. (2) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. (3) Based on parliamentary constituency and local authority boundaries as of 2007. (4) UK figures include deaths of non-residents in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but not in England and Wales. (5) UK figures for 2006 include figures for Northern Ireland which are provisional until the publication of the Registrar General Annual Report in December 2007.  Source:  Office for National Statistics

Migrant Workers: North Yorkshire

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of migrant workers there were in the Vale of York in each of the last three years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 20 November 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on migrant workers in the vale of York constituency. (165158)
	The Office for National Statistics compiles statistics on employment for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	The data for analysing migrant workers comes from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The National Statistics method for estimating the number of migrant workers employed in the UK is routinely based on the number of people at a given time who were born abroad, are of working age (16-64 for men, 16-59 for women), and in employment. This question has been answered on this basis. It means, for example, that some people who are UK nationals will be included in the total of foreign born and that people who are working but are above state pension age are not included.
	When interpreting these figures, it is important to bear in mind that the APS is not designed to cover everyone who is present in the UK. The survey may undercount the numbers of people who were born overseas. The reasons are set out in the table footnote.
	The APS estimates at this detailed level are only available consistent with population estimates published in February and March 2003 and are not comparable with the estimates published in the Labour Market Statistics First Release on 14 November 2007, which are based on latest population estimates.
	The table attached, shows the numbers of working age in employment who were not born in the UK and were resident in Vale of York, for the twelve month periods ending in March 2005, March 2006 and December 2006 (the January to December 2006 APS dataset is the most recent for which information on country of birth is currently available). The table also shows the numbers of non-UK born persons in employment as percentages of all persons of working age in employment, in the area.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas, they are based on small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty. In this case, the sample sizes are not sufficient to give an accurate estimate of even the direction of the change over time.
	
		
			  Number of non-UK born persons of working age( 1)  in employment in the Vale of York constituency 
			  12 months ending  Employment level (Thousand)  Non-UK born persons in employment as percentage of all in employment 
			 March 2005 1 1 
			 March 2006 2 3 
			 December 2006 3 5 
			 (1) Includes males aged 16-64 and females aged 16-59. * Sample size too small to provide estimate.   Notes:  1. Estimates are subject to sampling variability. 2. It should also be noted that the country of birth question in the LFS gives an undercount because: it excludes certain people who have not been resident in the UK for 6 months; it excludes students in halls who do not have a UK resident parent; it excludes people in most other types of communal establishments (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites, etc); it is grossed to population estimates which exclude migrants staying for less than 12 months; microdata are grossed to population estimates consistent with those published in spring 2003 which are significantly lower than the latest population estimates.   Source:  Annual Population survey.

Registration of Births Deaths Marriages and Civil Partnerships

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2007,  Official Report, column 224W, on registration of births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, who is responsible for  (a) drawing up the revised business plan and  (b) approving it; who was responsible for (i) developing, (ii) approving the original business plan and (iii) discontinuing the original business plan; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Registrar General, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Dennis Roberts, dated 20 November 2007:
	The National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales has been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking who is responsible for  (a) drawing up the revised business plan and  (b) approving it; who was responsible for (i) developing the original business plan, (ii) approving the original business plan and (iii) discontinuing the original business plan. (166115).
	Preparation of the business case is the responsibility of officials in the General Register Office within ONS. The initial business case was not discontinued but has required revision following the realisation that some of the assumptions underlying it were not correct. The revised business case will require fresh approval. Responsibility for business case approval within ONS depends on the project cost, but for a project of this size it rests with the ONS Executive Management Group, chaired by the National Statistician. As the GRO is to transfer to the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) from 1 April 2008, IPS will be consulted on the revised case as part of the process.

Registration of Births Deaths Marriages and Civil Partnerships

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2007,  Official Report, column 224W, on registration of births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, what his timetable is for  (a) agreement of a viable revised business case and  (b) confirmation of funding for the online version of the births, marriages and deaths register; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Dennis Roberts dated 20 November 2007:
	The National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales has been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking what his timetable for  (a) agreement of a viable revised business case and  (b) confirmation of funding for the online version of the births, marriages and deaths register. I am replying in her absence. (166116)
	We expect that the business case and funding issues will be considered by ONS Executive Management Group early in 2008 although the exact timing will depend on the outcome of prior consultation with the Identity and Passport Service.

Statistics Commission: Finance

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what grants in aid his Department made to the Statistics Commission in each year since 2003-04; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The outturn for the grant in aid to the Statistics Commission is published each year in the HM Treasury annual report as well as the Statistics Commission's annual report.

Tax Revenue

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue the Exchequer received from  (a) fuel duty,  (b) vehicle excise duty,  (c) VAT on car sales,  (d) VAT on fuel and  (e) company car tax in each year since 1997.

Angela Eagle: Revenues received from these taxes can be found in the following sources:
	 (a) Hydrocarbon Oils Duty (or Fuel Duty)table 3 of the Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin published by HM Revenue and Customs contains revenues since 1997-98, available at:
	www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bulloil.
	This includes both road fuels, i.e. petrol and diesel, and other fuels.
	 (b) Vehicle Excise Duty (Hydrocarbon Oils Duty)the Office for National Statistics publishes revenues since 1993 (including Hydrocarbon Oils and VAT on fuel duty) at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=5688
	 (c) VAT on car salesHM Revenue and Customs does not collect data on VAT from individual goods and services.
	 (d) VAT on fuelThe same applies as for  (c). Figures for VAT on fuel duty only are given in the table referred to in  (b). The amount of VAT on fuel duty actually received will be less, because businesses can recover such VAT as input tax. HM Revenue and Customs do not collect data on this aspect of VAT recovery.
	 (e) Company Car Tax (including Fuel Benefit Charge) is the income tax and national insurance liability for employee and director benefits-in-kind received as cars and fuel for private use and is published from 1999-2000 by HMRC. This can be found in table 4.5 at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/taxable_benefits/menu.htm.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Companies House

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on what date the Registrar of Companies informed his Department that he would effect the necessary changes to Companies House systems and processes for the relevant sections of the Companies Act 2006 by 1 October 2009 and not 1 October 2008.

Stephen Timms: The Registrar of Companies advised that he could not be absolutely confident of delivering all necessary changes by October 2008. There have been a number of discussions between officials and Ministers on this issue, culminating in advice to Ministers on 19 October 2007.

Companies House

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform for what reason the Registrar of Companies is not able to implement changes to Companies House systems and processes in relation to sections  (a) 13-6,  (b) 7-16,  (c) 17-28,  (d) 31-38,  (e) 53-85,  (f) 86-88,  (g) 89-111,  (h) 112-144,  (i) 540-657,  (j) 658-737,  (k) 854-859,  (l) 860-894,  (m) 1000-1034,  (n) 1040-1042,  (o) 1044-1059,  (p) 1060-1062,  (q) 1064-1076,  (r) 1081-1084,  (s) 1093-1101,  (t) 1108-1110,  (u) 1112-1120,  (v) 1182-1191 and  (w) 1192-1208 of the Companies Act 2006 before 1 October 2008.

Stephen Timms: The Registrar of Companies has not advised that Companies House will not be able to implement the necessary changes by October 2008; rather, that he can not be absolutely confident of doing so. In the circumstances, the Government decided to announce a delay now so that companies can have certainty about the timetable for forthcoming changes.

Departmental Publicity

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many full-time equivalent staff are responsible for brand management and marketing in his Department and its agencies.

Gareth Thomas: My Department employs 14 full-time equivalent (FTE) members of staff in its strategic marketing team. This team has overall responsibility for corporate marketing and branding.
	Companies House has 20 FTE working on marketing and sales, of which 0.5 FTE is responsible for branding.
	The Insolvency Service has no members of staff working exclusively on marketing.
	They estimate that less than 0.1 FTE of their communications' staff time is spent on branding.

Fireworks: Animal Welfare

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to review legislation on the maximum noise level permitted for publicly purchased fireworks with reference to their potential impact on animals.

Gareth Thomas: The maximum noise level is set in line with the harmonised European Standard (BS EN 14035). However the pyrotechnics directive which must be transposed into UK law by January 2010, requires that category 1 fireworks have a negligible noise level, category 2 fireworks a low noise level and categories 3 and 4 a noise level that is not harmful to human health. The European Commission have issued the European Standardisation body (CEN) with a mandate to produce standards that address all the relevant areas of the directive including noise levels. The new legislation will need to reflect the resulting standards.

Imports: Cyprus

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the value was of  (a) imports and  (b) exports of (i) goods and (ii) services between (A) Cyprus and (B) Bermuda and the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years for which information is available.

Gareth Thomas: The Office for National Statistics publishes data for UK trade with Cyprus in tables 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5 of the UK Balance of Payments Pink Book 2007.
	
		
			   million 
			   UK imports of goods from Cyprus  UK exports of goods to Cyprus  UK imports of services from Cyprus  UK exports of services to Cyprus 
			 1997   771 156 
			 1998   802 126 
			 1999 186 259 766 130 
			 2000 208 311 885 147 
			 2001 243 291 1,059 128 
			 2002 247 272 977 213 
			 2003 251 317 1,088 231 
			 2004 205 322 1,084 328 
			 2005 272 359 1,214 306 
			 2006 1,725 969 1,346 320 
		
	
	Trade in goods with Cyprus in 2006 was affected by transactions associated with missing trader VAT fraud.
	Figures for trade in goods with Cyprus are not available before 1999 on a balance of payments basis. Figures are available on a slightly different definition using Overseas Trade Statistics. The figures for 1997 and 1998 were:
	
		
			   million 
			   UK imports of goods from Cyprus  UK exports of goods to Cyprus 
			 1997 122.4 265.4 
			 1998 170.1 260.0 
		
	
	For data on UK trade with Bermuda, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 October 2007,  Official Report, column 502W.

Internet: Fraud

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what means of complaint are available to UK residents about the sending of unsolicited and fraudulent email to UK email addresses.

Stephen Timms: The Government introduced statutory controls in the UK on unsolicited spam e-mails under the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, which came into force on 11 December 2003. They provide a first line of defence against the kind of unsolicited e-mails that many people object to where they have no knowledge of the advertiser or the products being marketed. The regulations require that unsolicited spam e-mails must not be sent to an individual subscriber unless prior permission has been obtained or unless there is a previous relationship between the parties. The regulations can be enforced against an offending company or individual anywhere in the European Union (EU).
	The Information Commissioner's Office has responsibility for the enforcement of the regulations controls in the UK on unsolicited spam e-mails and considers complaints about breaches. A breach of an enforcement notice is a criminal offence subject to a fine of up to 5,000 in a magistrate's court.

Motor Sports

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2007,  Official Report, column 130W, on motorsports, which elements of motorsport experience each of the members of the advisory board of Motorsport Development UK has.

Stephen Timms: Profiles of the members of the Motorsport Development UK Board, which include details of motorsport experience, are available at:
	www.motorsportdevelopment.co.uk/profiles.cfm.

Overseas Trade: Iran

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the total value was of UK trade with Iran in each of the last five financial years.

Gareth Thomas: According to HM Revenue and Customs data, direct visible exports to Iran from the UK for the calendar year 2006 were worth some 431 million. Direct visible exports for the previous four calendar years were as follows: 2005 (463 million); 2004 (443 million); 2003 (476 million); and 2002 (401 million). Data for the current year is only available for the period January-August 2007 and shows that direct visible exports from the UK to Iran over this period were worth some 254 million.
	Data kept by the Office for National Statistics shows that invisible exports from the UK to Iran were worth some 212 million in 2006. Figures for the preceding four years were as follows: 2005 (204 million); 2004 (236 million); 2003 (206 million); and 2002 (178 million). Data for 2007 is currently unavailable.
	Figures for indirect British exports to Iran (i.e. via a third country) are not kept.

Overseas Trade: Israel

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the value was of  (a) imports and  (b) exports of (i) goods and (ii) services between Israel and the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years for which information is available.

Gareth Thomas: The Office for National Statistics publishes data for UK trade with Israel in tables 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5 of the UK Balance of Payments Pink Book 2007.
	
		
			   million 
			   UK imports of goods from Israel  UK exports of goods to Israel  UK imports of services from Israel  UK exports of services to Israel 
			 1997 839 1,178 188 372 
			 1998 875 1,079 207 308 
			 1999 996 1,295 215 523 
			 2000 1,025 1,516 266 441 
			 2001 939 1,357 314 504 
			 2002 880 1,428 202 422 
			 2003 861 1,359 213 359 
			 2004 923 1,389 221 401 
			 2005 1,002 1,352 252 539 
			 2006 968 1,308 296 400

Post Offices: Derbyshire

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many responses were received by the Post Office's consultation team before the closing date relating to each sub-post office proposed for closure in Derbyshire.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Post Offices: Rural Areas

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the role of post offices in rural communities.

Patrick McFadden: The Government recognise the important social and economic role that Post Office play in communities across the country and in rural areas in particular. We have introduced a range of access criteria that guarantees a nationwide network with additional safeguards for communities in rural areas.

Price Fixing: Dairy Products

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what investigations his Department is making into price fixing in the dairy industry; and what mechanisms he has put in place to prevent price fixing.

Gareth Thomas: Ensuring that markets operate freely and fairly is a matter for the independent competition authorities, rather than for Government. The Enterprise Act 2002 removed Ministers from competition decisions, placing them in the hands of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the Competition Commission (CC).
	The OFT has provisionally found that large supermarkets and dairy processors have, in breach of the Competition Act, colluded to increase the prices of dairy products. The OFT on 20 September issued a statement of objections, setting out its provisional findings, to Asda, Morrisons, Safeway, Sainsbury and Tesco, as well as dairy processors Aria, Dairy Crest, Lactalis McLelland, The Cheese Company and Wiseman.
	The OFT will not be in a position to decide if the law has been breached until it has reviewed all the responses received. The OFT has powers to impose sanctions if the Act has been breached.

Public Telephones

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many public telephone boxes are in use.

Stephen Timms: I understand from the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), that there are approximately 63,500 public telephone boxes in the UK.

Travel: Standards

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether gap year companies are subject to any form of registration procedure or checks in relation to standards for safety in their overseas operations.

Patrick McFadden: Gap year companies, which operate from premises in Great Britain and supply students to work for employers in the UK or overseas, will be subject to compliance with the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and associated Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003. This legislation is enforced by this Department's Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate.
	These companies are not subject to any form of registration but must abide by the conduct regulations which require employment agencies to obtain sufficient information from hiring companies before they introduce or supply workers, including;
	Any risks to health and safety known to the hirer and what steps the hirer has taken to prevent or control such risks; and
	Without prejudice to any of its duties in relation to health and safety at work, made all such enquiries, to ensure it would not be detrimental to the interests of the worker or hirer for the worker to fill the position the hirer seeks to fill.
	In addition, where a worker is under 18 and the agency or hiring company has arranged free travel or payment of fares for the journey to the workplace, full details must be set out in writing. If the work does not start or upon it ending, the agency must arrange free return travel or obtain an undertaking from the hiring company that they will arrange free travel or pay the return fare.
	If the hirer does not adhere to this undertaking the agency must arrange the return journey of the worker.

VAT: East of England

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many businesses have  (a) registered and  (b) deregistered for VAT in (i) the East of England and (ii) Suffolk in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: The number of new VAT registrations and de-registrations in the East of England and Suffolk are shown in the table for 2002 to 2006, alongside the total number of VAT registered businesses at the start of each year. Data for registrations and de-registrations in 2007 will be available in autumn 2008.
	
		
			  Number of VAT registrations, de-registrations and VAT registered businesses in the East of England and Suffolk county 
			2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			  Registrations East of England 17,820 18,735 17,815 17,955 17,495  
			  Suffolk County 2,100 2,160 2,085 1,915 1,885  
			 
			  De-registrations East of England 14,840 15,125 14,945 13,910 14,020  
			  Suffolk County 1,715 1,715 1,655 1,590 1,630  
			 
			  Stock of VAT registered businesses East of England 179,500 182,480 186,090 188,955 193,005 196,480 
			  Suffolk County 22,520 22,905 23,345 23,775 24,105 24,360 
			  Source:  Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations in 2006 available at http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm 
		
	
	Although the number of registrations and de-registrations in both areas has fluctuated over the period, the total number of VAT registered businesses in Suffolk has increased from 22,520 at the start of 2002 to 24,360 at the start of 2007, an increase of 1,840 (8 per cent.). The total number of VAT registered businesses in the East of England has increased from 179,500 at the start of 2002 to 196,480 at the start of 2007, an increase of 16,980 (9 per cent.).
	VAT registration and de-registration data provide the only accurate indicator of the level of business start-up and closure activity at the county level.
	However, VAT registrations do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was 60,000 at the start of 2006. Only 1.9 million out of 4.5 million UK enterprises (43 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2006.

JUSTICE

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prosecutions there were for selling alcohol to children and young people under the age of 18 years in  (a) England and Wales and  (b) each police force area in each year between 2004 and 2007.

Maria Eagle: The information requested on prosecutions for selling alcohol to persons under 18 years in 2004 and 2005 is provided in the table.
	In addition to court proceedings, the offence of sale of alcohol to a person under 18 can attract a penalty notice for disorder (PND). The offence was added to the PND scheme on the 1 November 2004. Data on the number of PNDs issued in 2004 and 2005 for the offence are provided in the table.
	Data for 2006 will be available shortly.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded at magistrates courts and the number of penalty notices for disorder issued for offences related to the illegal sale of alcohol to persons aged under 18( 1,)( )( 2,)( )( 3,)( )( 4) 
			   Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts  Penalty notices for disorder issued 
			  Police force area  2004  2005  2004  2005 
			 Avon and Somerset  14  56 
			 Bedfordshire 7 10  2 
			 Cambridgeshire 4 9  11 
			 Cheshire 20 8  49 
			 Cleveland 10 14  33 
			 Cumbria 1 8  23 
			 Derbyshire 22 13  8 
			 Devon and Cornwall 12 8  82 
			 Dorset 10 35 22 22 
			 Durham 2 2   
			 Essex 2 8 7 120 
			 Gloucestershire 1 5  42 
			 Greater Manchester 180 117  127 
			 Hampshire 9 11 2 67 
			 Hertfordshire 8 3  3 
			 Humberside 11 2 2 45 
			 Kent 15 14  10 
			 Lancashire 22 89 30 190 
			 Leicestershire 10 27 2 46 
			 Lincolnshire 4 11  26 
			 Merseyside 19 16 2 73 
			 Metropolitan police(3) 167 253 21 161 
			 Norfolk 9 3   
			 North Yorkshire 22 3   
			 Northamptonshire  11 1 39 
			 Northumbria 51 79 1 48 
			 Nottinghamshire  11 9 117 
			 South Yorkshire 5 18 2 107 
			 Staffordshire 5 20  19 
			 Suffolk 1 3  19 
			 Surrey 10 13   
			 Sussex 4 4  63 
			 Thames Valley 28 15  12 
			 Warwickshire 26 7  3 
			 West Mercia 5 19 1 22 
			 West Midlands 45 76 6 114 
			 West Yorkshire 21 15 4 72 
			 Wiltshire 10 23  8 
			 Dyfed-Powys 24 6  18 
			 Gwent 20 16  20 
			 North Wales 5 10 1 58 
			 South Wales 34 55  123 
			 England and Wales 861 1,084 113 2,058 
			 (1) Prosecutions data are provided on the principal offence basis. PND data are a count on PND tickets issued. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Covers offences under the following statutes. The Licensing Act 1964 S.169 A and B as added by Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000 S.1, the Licensing Act 1964 S.181 A(1) as added by Licensing Act 1988 S.17 and the Licensing Act 2003 S.146 and 147, which came into effect from 24 November 2005, so data prior to 2005 is not available. (4) PND data covers the offence of sale of alcohol to person under 18 under the Licensing act 2003 S126  Source:  RDSCourt proceedings databaseOffice for Criminal Justice ReformMinistry of Justice

Coroners: Armed Forces

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many inquests for members of the armed forces were pending in each month since March 2003.

Bridget Prentice: The information requested is not held centrally. We do, however, hold the information in relation to the inquests of service personnel who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. The following table shows the number of open inquests, and the percentage this represents of total deaths of service personnel in the conflicts, at the end of each month. Each fatality must be investigated thoroughly, and that inevitably takes time. The figures show that coroners, helped by additional resources made available by the Government, have been reducing the proportion of inquests which are pending. 130 inquests have been held, half of them this year, for service personnel who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, and two further fatalities have been taken into consideration in inquest proceedings. As at 15 November, there had been 253 service fatalities, either repatriated to England and Wales or who died as a result of injuries, since the conflicts began. We have kept both Houses informed of progress with service inquests and will continue to report each quarter.
	
		
			  Iraq and Afghanistan service deaths: percentage of uncompleted inquests at the end of each month since March 2003 
			   Number( 1)  Percentage( 2) 
			  2003   
			 March 30/30 100 
			 April 36/36 100 
			 May 39/39 100 
			 June 45/45 100 
			 July 44/46 96 
			 August 49/52 94 
			 September 49/53 92 
			 October 49/54 91 
			 November 49/55 89 
			 December 49/55 89 
			  2004   
			 January 55/61 90 
			 February 57/62 91 
			 March 57/63 90 
			 April 57/63 90 
			 May 57/63 90 
			 June 57/64 89 
			 July 58/65 89 
			 August 63/69 91 
			 September 66/72 91 
			 October 68/74 91 
			 November 71/78 91 
			 December 71/79 89 
			  2005   
			 January 81/89 91 
			 February 80/89 89 
			 March 81/90 90 
			 April 81/90 90 
			 May 82/92 89 
			 June 83/93 89 
			 July 86/96 89 
			 August 84/96 88 
			 September 84/99 84 
			 October 82/102 80 
			 November 81/103 79 
			 December 77/103 74 
			  2006   
			 January 77/105 73 
			 February 78/108 72 
			 March 74/110 67 
			 April 73/111 66 
			 May 79/120 66 
			 June 80/123 65 
			 July 82/127 65 
			 August 85/130 65 
			 September 108/158 68 
			 October 111/161 69 
			 November 102/167 61 
			 December 104/171 61 
			  2007   
			 January 96/176 55 
			 February 99/181 55 
			 March 99/186 53 
			 April 103/199 52 
			 May 111/207 53 
			 June 112/218 51 
			 July 122/232 53 
			 August 132/242 54 
			 September 132/252 52 
			 October 124/253 49 
			 (1) Number of outstanding inquests and number of fatalities.  (2 )Number of outstanding inquests expressed as a percentage of the fatalities at the end of the month.

Coroners: Armed Forces

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average length of time between a death and the start of a inquest was for members of the armed forces in each month since March 2003, in respect of completed inquests.

Bridget Prentice: The information is not held centrally. However, an inquest is opened to take identification evidence and to enable release of the body to the family and is generally opened within a few days of the death. There will be a longer interval between the death and the opening where there is the possibility of a homicide offence. In these circumstances, the inquest will only be opened when the police are satisfied that the body will not be needed for the purposes of an investigation. In the case of overseas military inquests, there will also be a slightly longer interval between the death and the opening of the inquest because it usually takes between a week and 10 days before the body is returned to the UK.

Custodial Treatment: Digital Broadcasting

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what funding his Department has allocated to cover the costs of digital switchover in  (a) prisons,  (b) young offenders institutions and  (c) detention centres.

Maria Eagle: The switchover of the prison estate in readiness for the switch from analogue to digital television began in 2005 and is expected to be completed in 2012. To date 22 prison establishments have been switched over to digital television with all of the costs met from the rental revenue generated by the charge levied on prisoners for the rental of televisions from the prison service. The full cost of the switchover is not yet known but it is intended that the cost should be met as far as possible from the revenue.

Departmental Manpower

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many reports have been made to his Department's nominated officers under paragraph 16 of the revised Civil Service Code since its publication on 6 June 2006;
	(2)  how many allegations of victimisation for whistleblowing have been reported to his Department by departmental staff since 6 June 2006;
	(3)  when his Department's whistleblowing procedures were reviewed to reflect the provisions in the revised Civil Service Code.

Jack Straw: Two reports have been made to the Ministry of Justice's nominated officers since 6 June 2006.
	Neither of the cases involving nominated officers resulted in reports of allegations of victimisation.
	Allegations of victimisation for whistleblowing not involving the nominated officers would be made through staff grievance procedures and, in the public sector Prison Service, through an internal procedure for receiving and analysing intelligence on wrongdoing. Both procedures do not centrally record victimisation resulting from whistleblowing as a separate category. In order to provide the information requested, we would need to contact each of our establishments and HR offices, ask them to interrogate their local records and then submit this information to headquarters. This would incur disproportionate cost.
	Whistleblowing procedures for the various parts of the Ministry of Justice were reviewed as follows:
	Former DCAOctober 2006.
	NOMS, OCJRCurrently under review. Due to be re-issued in early 2008.
	HMPSAugust 2007.
	In each case the procedures reflect the provisions of the civil service code.

Departmental Manpower

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people aged  (a) 30 to 39,  (b) 40 to 49,  (c) 50 to 59 and  (d) 60 to 69 years have (i) applied for jobs, (ii) received interviews and (iii) gained (A) temporary and (B) permanent jobs in his Department in 2007.

Maria Eagle: Unfortunately, the Ministry of Justice does not hold central data in respect of parts (i) and (ii) of this question. To provide this information could be achieved only at a disproportionate cost to the Ministry. The information would have to be extracted from recruitment campaigns undertaken during 2007, by all the Ministry of Justice agencies that have been brought together since 9 May 2007. In respect of part (iii) of this question, a breakdown on the number of people who have gained temporary and permanent jobs by age range within the Ministry is provided in the table.
	In general, the Ministry has an obligation under the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Code to ensure its recruitment processes are operating under open and fair principles. Therefore, there are no restrictions on application for the majority of civil service posts except for the Prison Service who require an upper age limit of 63 for applications for Prison Officers, thus reflecting the requirement for the organisation to obtain value from the investment in their training.
	
		
			  Age on joining  Temporary  Permanent 
			 30-39 247 1,399 
			 40-49 311 1,397 
			 50-59 224 845 
			 60-69 68 148

Driving Offences: Fines

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many warrants were issued by the Traffic Enforcement Centre following penalty charge notices in  (a) England and  (b) London in each year since the operation of the centre.

Bridget Prentice: My Department only has data available from when the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC) was transferred to Northampton county court in April 2000. It does not collect separate figures for warrants issued in respect of particular areas.

Housing: Prices

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice according to the most recent Land Registry data, how many and what percentage of homes in England are worth  (a) 800,000 or more and  (b) 1,000,000 or more.

Michael Wills: Land Registry is able to provide information on the total number of properties sold for which prices of 800,000 or more and 1,000,000 or more have been paid. As these figures are extracted using price paid data, no information is available for any properties which have not been sold and on the basis of recorded sales figures in England within the requested price sectors. These sector-specific sales figures have then been calculated as a percentage of total annual sales from 1995 onwards. This is the date when residential property price information was first produced. Quarterly data for 2007 are provided, with percentages calculated from the total volume of sales during each period.
	The figures are reflected in the following table.
	
		
			  Land Registry Price Reports for England 1995 to 2007 
			   Total sales  Sales 800,000 to 1 million  Percentage of total  Total sales 1 million+  Percentage of total 
			 1995 771,478 231 0.03 232 0.03 
			 1996 930,952 330 0.03 335 0.03 
			 1997 1,052,655 546 0.05 622 0.06 
			 1998 1,009,219 593 0.06 823 0.08 
			 1999 1,159,617 1,084 0.09 1,304 0.11 
			 2000 1,088,849 1,633 0.15 2,056 0.19 
			 2001 1,199,638 1,984 0.16 2,451 0.20 
			 2002 1,299,175 2,749 0.21 3,160 0.24 
			 2003 1,211,624 2,871 0.24 3,084 0.25 
			 2004 1,229,492 3,761 0.30 4,199 0.34 
			 2005 1,019,952 3,804 0.37 3,991 0.39 
			 2006 1,268,766 5,879 0.46 6,541 0.51 
			   
			 2007  
			 Quarter 1 274,849 1,555 0.56 1,834 0.67 
			 Quarter 2 312,388 1,862 0.60 2,078 0.67 
			 Quarter 3 292,806 2,340 0.80 2,681 0.92 
			  Source:  Land Registry.

Human Trafficking

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many successful prosecutions there were of men accused of trafficking under-age women into the UK in each year since 2000.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	The data available on the number of successful prosecutions for trafficking under age women into the UK are not broken down by age or gender. It is therefore not possible to say how many men were convicted or how many victims were under age women.
	However, there were 67 convictions for trafficking related offences, under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, at 22 October, 2007. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 came into force on 1 May, 2004 specifically to combat human trafficking. In 2004, three convictions were secured using the Sexual Offences Act 2003; in 2005 there were 21, 27 in 2006 and to date this year, there have been 16.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

David Clelland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many fines were issued to registered vehicle owners for failing to comply with the statutory off-road notification declaration in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05,  (c) 2005-06 and  (d) 2006-07.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
	The number of fines that were issued to registered vehicle owners for failing to comply with the statutory off-road notification declaration is:
	
		
			   Successful Prosecutions  County Court Judgments 
			 2003-04 1,647  
			 2004-05 767 74,872 
			 2005-06  114,713 
			 2006-07  84,545 
		
	
	Prosecution procedures for statutory off-road notifications changed in 2004 from a criminal to a civil process.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

David Clelland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many registered vehicle owners paid fines issued for failing to comply with statutory off-road notification declarations in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05,  (c) 2005-06 and  (d) 2006-07.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
	The number of registered vehicle owners who paid fines issued for failing to comply with statutory off road notification declarations is:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2004-05 13,219 
			 2005-06 30,124 
			 2006-07 29,074

Offenders: Drugs

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average cost per week to the public purse is of  (a) a person in prison and  (b) a person undergoing residential drug rehabilitation treatment as part of a non-custodial sentence.

David Hanson: The average weekly cost to the public purse of a person in prison is 698.00.
	The average weekly cost to the public purse of a person undergoing residential drug rehabilitation treatment as part of a non-custodial sentence depends on the nature of the treatment delivered. Costs are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Treatment type   per week 
			 Detoxification and primary treatment 667 
			 Services providing detoxification, primary and secondary treatment 476 
			 Primary treatment only 469 
			 Primary and secondary treatment only 412 
			 Second stage only services 390 
		
	
	The Drug Rehabilitation Requirement is the main alternative to custody for those requiring drug treatment. The DRR does not rely for delivery on residential treatment.

Opinion Leader Research

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many contracts were awarded by his Department to Opinion Leader Research in each year since 1997; and what was  (a) the title and purpose,  (b) the cost to the public purse and  (c) the dates of (i) tender, (ii) award, (iii) operation and (iv) completion and report to the Department in each case.

Bridget Prentice: There have been four contracts awarded to Opinion Leader Research since 1997. Details, along with year contract awarded, costs and relevant dates are as follows:
	
		
			  Contracts awarded 
			   Number 
			 1997 - 2004 0 
			 2005-06 1 
			 2006-07 3 
		
	
	
		
			  Detail (including payments) 
			  (a) Title and purpose  (b) Cost () (including VAT)  (c)i Date tender proposal received  (c)ii Date contract awarded  (c)iii Date carried out  (c)iv Date completed/report to Department 
			  2005-06  
			  Judicial diversity research report: findings of a consultation with barristers, solicitors and judges 76,316 8 September 2005 30 September 2005 October - December 2005 26 January 2006 
			 To explore the barriers to applying for judicial posts among women and BME solicitors and Barristers  
			   
			  2006-07  
			  Draft Coroners Bill 15,490 5 September 2006 6 September 2006 9 November 2006 15 December 2006 
			 To act as facilitators at a one-day event seeking feedback on draft Coroners Bill  
			  Meeting Military families 4,700 29 November 2006 By 4 December 2006 4 December 2006 February 2007 
			 To act as facilitators to a meeting with families of bereaved servicemen and women who had lost their lives in Iraq, and been involved in the inquest process  
			  The impact of changing court fees on users 56,964 23 August 2006 19 September 2006 September - December 2006 (April 2007) 
			 Research contractto examine users' knowledge of court processes and cost, the key factors in their decision to proceed to court

Police Custody

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has been invoiced by each police force for the use of police cells under Operation Safeguard in each month since October 2006.

David Hanson: The following table provides the dates covered and amounts invoiced by police forces in England and Wales to cover costs incurred under Operation Safeguard since October 2006:
	
		
			  Police force  From  To  Total () 
			 Bedfordshire 1 January 2007 31 March 2007 62,555 
			 Bedfordshire 1 April 2007 31 July 2007 193,389 
			 Bedfordshire August 2007 October 2007 82,436 
			 Bedfordshire Credit  -3,121 
			 Cambridgeshire 1 October 2006 31 March 2007 374,789 
			 Cheshire 1 November 2006 31 March 2007 692,073 
			 Cheshire 1 August 2006 30 September 2006 9,802 
			 Cheshire 1 June 2007 30 June 2007 60,022 
			 Cheshire 1 April 2007 30 June 2007 738,865 
			 Cheshire 1 May 2007 30 June 2007 244,164 
			 Cheshire July 2007 September 2007 1,198,049 
			 Cumbria 29 January 2007 23 February 2007 68,284 
			 Cumbria 12 March 2007 31 March 2007 28,558 
			 Cumbria 1 May 2007 31 May 2007 49,141 
			 Cumbria 1 April 2007 30 April 2007 43,857 
			 Derbyshire 1 October 2006 31 December 2006 151,810 
			 Derbyshire 1 April 2007 31 May 2007 139,243 
			 Derbyshire 1 June 2007 31 July 2007 119,902 
			 Derbyshire 1 January 2007 31 March 2007 163,654 
			 Devon and Cornwall 28 November 2006 22 December 2006 70,486 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1 June 2007 31 July 2007 192,619 
			 Devon and Cornwall August 2007 September 2007 134,872 
			 Devon and Cornwall 16 January 2007 31 March /2007 221,133 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1 April 2007 31 May 2007 225,717 
			 Dorset Police 12 October 2006 23 December 2006 101,211 
			 Dorset Police 8 January 2007 31 March 2007 99,930 
			 Dorset Police 1 April 2007 28 June 2007 122,671 
			 Durham 12 October 2006 22 December 2006 143,397 
			 Durham 16 January 2007 31 January 2007 52,271 
			 Durham 1 February 2007 20 February 2007 53,969 
			 Durham 8 March 2007 31 March 2007 74,686 
			 Durham 1 May 2007 31 May 2007 88,408 
			 Durham 1 April 2007 30 April 2007 88,870 
			 Durham 1 June 2007 30 June 2007 88,851 
			 Durham Credit  -2,251 
			 Dyfed Powys 1 November 2006 10 November 2006 19,408 
			 Dyfed Powys 12 October 2006 31 October 2006 28,700 
			 Dyfed Powys 11 December 2006 23 December 2006 28,859 
			 Dyfed Powys 16 January 2007 29 January 2007 38,548 
			 Dyfed Powys 30 January 2007 22 February 2007 53,562 
			 Dyfed Powys 22 February 2007 31 March 2007 109,634 
			 Dyfed Powys 14 May 2007 31 May 2007 41,407 
			 Dyfed Powys 1 April 2007 14 May 2007 139,501 
			 Dyfed Powys 1 July 2007 23 July 2007 50,048 
			 Dyfed Powys 27 August 2007 27 August 2007 5,600 
			 Dyfed Powys 1 June 2007 30 June 2007 68,146 
			 Dyfed Powys Credit  -439 
			 Essex 16 October 2006 31 October 2006 158,323 
			 Essex 1 November 2006 30 November 2006 284,958 
			 Essex 1 December 2006 30 December 2006 211,460 
			 Essex 1 January 2007 31 January 2007 179,638 
			 Essex 1 February 2007 28 February 2007 196,391 
			 Essex 1 March 2007 31 March 2007 190,697 
			 Essex 1 May 2007 31 May 2007 195,398 
			 Essex 1 April 2007 31 April 07 208,441 
			 Essex 1 July 2007 31 July 2007 179,922 
			 Essex June 2007 June 2007 229,058 
			 Essex August 2007 August 2007 192,178 
			 Greater Manchester 22 January 2007 31 March 2007 497,643 
			 Greater Manchester 1 April 2007 30 April 2007 167,535 
			 Greater Manchester 1 May 2007 31 May 2007 244,504 
			 Greater Manchester 11 December 2006 22 December 2006 85,368 
			 Gwent 25 June 2007 30 June 2007 13,199 
			 Gwent Start up costs  4,632 
			 Gwent Credit  -1,293 
			 Hampshire 1 December 2006 31 March 2007 283,622 
			 Hampshire 7 December 2006 15 February 2007 101,580 
			 Hampshire April 2007 June 2007 73,985 
			 Hampshire June 2007 September 2007 237,129 
			 Hertfordshire 1 December 2007 31 March 2007 118,335 
			 Hertfordshire 1 March 2007 31 March 2007 109,350 
			 Hertfordshire 1 February 2007 28 February 2007 100,629 
			 Hertfordshire 1 June 2007 30 June 2007 104,918 
			 Hertfordshire 1 April 2007 30 June 2007 235,759 
			 Hertfordshire 1 July 2007 31 July 2007 92,396 
			 Hertfordshire 1 August 2007 31 August 2007 103,313 
			 Hertfordshire 1 September 2007 30 September 2007 112,403 
			 Hertfordshire October 2007 October 2007 103,693 
			 Hertfordshire Credit  -1,183 
			 Kent 10 October 2006 5 November 2006 76,780 
			 Kent 6 November 2006 30 November 2006 33,154 
			 Kent Administration charge  469 
			 Kent 1 December 2006 31 December 2006 76,055 
			 Kent 1 January 2007 5 March 2007 110,221 
			 Kent 1 March 2007 31 March 2007 97,725 
			 Kent 1 May 2007 31 May 2007 143,439 
			 Kent 1 April 2007 30 April 2007 136,522 
			 Kent 1 July 2007 31 July 2007 128,088 
			 Kent 1 June 2007 30 June 2007 138,931 
			 Kent 1 August 2007 31 August 2007 138,800 
			 Kent 1 September 2007 30 September 2007 121,816 
			 Lancashire 22 January 2007 26 February 2007 172,651 
			 Lancashire March 2007 August 2007 681,585 
			 Leicestershire 1 April 2007 31 May 2007 250,451 
			 Lincolnshire 7 November 2006 22 December 2006 132,848 
			 Lincolnshire 1 March 2007 31 March 2007 113,479 
			 Lincolnshire 1 April 2007 30 April 2007 87,929 
			 Lincolnshire 1 May 2007 31 May 2007 92,806 
			 Lincolnshire 1 June 2007 30 June 2007 103,381 
			 Lincolnshire 1 July 2007 25 July 2007 62,593 
			 Lincolnshire August 2007 September 2007 108,986 
			 Lincolnshire 11 October 2006 6 November 2006 81,571 
			 Lincolnshire 22 January 2007 28 February 2007 112,838 
			 Lincolnshire Credit  -628 
			 Merseyside 13 October 2006 15 December 2006 418,089 
			 Merseyside May 2007 October 2007 9,776 
			 Metropolitan 23 November 2006 31 December 2006 449,672 
			 Metropolitan 23 November 2006 22 January 2007 291,721 
			 Metropolitan 1 December 2006 31 March 2007 76,825 
			 Metropolitan 17 January 2007 18 February 2007 1,224,294 
			 Metropolitan April 2007 April 2007 1,127,760 
			 Metropolitan 19 February 2007 20 March 2007 1,057,262 
			 Metropolitan 21 March 2007 31 March 2007 403,314 
			 Metropolitan Credit  -39,589 
			 North Wales 12 October 2006 12 November 2006 86,277 
			 North Wales 17 January 2007 20 February 2007 100,007 
			 North Wales 21 February 2007 31 March 2007 52,202 
			 North Wales 1 April 2007 27 September 2007 641,212 
			 Northamptonshire 1 October 2007 31 December 2006 214,667 
			 Northamptonshire 1 January 2007 31 March 2007 215,202 
			 Northamptonshire 1 April 2007 29 June 2007 373,600 
			 Northamptonshire 1 July 2007 16 September 2007 125,248 
			 Northumbria 15 January 2007 4 February 2007 44,739 
			 Northumbria 5 February 2007 4 March 2007 55,943 
			 Northumbria 5 March 2007 1 April 2007 77,909 
			 Northumbria 2 April 2007 6 May 2007 74,869 
			 Northumbria 7 May 2007 3 June 2007 64,294 
			 Northumbria 1 June 2007 30 June 2007 68,813 
			 Northumbria 1 July 2007 31 July 2007 29,017 
			 South Wales 10 October 2006 15 December 2006 (1)734,765 
			  29 January 2007 31 March 2007 (1) 
			 South Yorkshire 10 April 2007 29 April 2007 48,240 
			 South Yorkshire Refurbish custody suite(2)  18,310 
			 South Yorkshire 30 April 2007 27 May 2007 78,631 
			 South Yorkshire 28 May 2007 1 July 2007 72,615 
			 South Yorkshire 2 July 2007 19 July 2007 48,599 
			 South Yorkshire August 2007 September 2007 98,023 
			 Suffolk 17 October 2006 18 November 2006 124,681 
			 Suffolk 17 January 2007 31 March 2007 242,283 
			 Sussex 16 October 2006 22 December 2006 133,925 
			 Thames Valley 12 October 2006 19 November 2006 187,736 
			 Thames Valley 20 November 2006 22 December 2006 201,926 
			 Thames Valley 12 January 2007 28 February 2007 130,181 
			 Thames Valley 1 April 2007 30 April 2007 126,005 
			 Thames Valley 1 June 2007 30 June 2007 142,062 
			 Thames Valley August 2007 September 2007 256,658 
			 Thames Valley 1 March 2007 31 March 2007 198,726 
			 Thames Valley 1 May 2007 31 May 2007 126,192 
			 Thames Valley 1 July 2007 31 July 2007 119,305 
			 Thames Valley Credit  -270 
			 West Midlands 13 October 2006 30 November 2006 165,290 
			 West Midlands 1 December 2006 31 December 2006 301,910 
			 West Yorkshire 22 January 2007 23 February 2007 152,420 
			 Warwickshire 22 October 2006 22 December 2006 99,489 
			 Warwickshire 12 January 2007 31 March 2007 192,315 
			 Warwickshire April 2007 July 2007 197,843 
			 West Midlands 1 February 2007 28 February 2007 139,469 
			 West Midlands 1 January 2007 31 January 2007 194,918 
			 West Midlands 1 March 2007 31 March 2007 163,305 
			 West Midlands May 2007 May 2007 397,006 
			 West Yorkshire 12 March 2007 31 March 2007 95,347 
			 West Yorkshire 1 April 2007 30 June 2007 376,338 
			 West Yorkshire 1 July 2007 July 2007 110,349 
			 West Yorkshire 1 August 2007 31 August 2007 126,287 
			 West Yorkshire September 2007 September 2007 164,626 
			 West Yorkshire October 2007 October 2007 269,986 
			 Wiltshire 2 April 2007 10 April 2007 55,379 
			 Wiltshire Credit  -9,691 
			 (2) Thorne police station custody suite refurbished and reopened for Operation Safeguard use. 
		
	
	NOMS checks invoices received by police forces. In cases where overpayment has occurred, credit notes are issued by police forces to NOMS.

Police Custody

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost of Operation Safeguard has been in each month since October 2006.

David Hanson: To date, around 28,700,000 has been invoiced by police forces in England and Wales for housing prisoners under Operation Safeguard between October 2006 and November 2007. As different police forces may submit monthly, bi-monthly or consolidated invoices in arrears that may cover more than one month, the cost of Operation Safeguard in each month is not centrally held.

Police Custody: Wales

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions  (a) convicted and  (b) remand prisoners were held in Welsh police cells for more than one night; and how many nights each prisoner concerned spent in police cells.

David Hanson: Figures for the number of occasions convicted and remanded prisoners have been held in police cells under Operation Safeguard are not held separately.
	Information on the number of nights individual prisoners have spent in police cells under Operation Safeguard is not held centrally.

Prison Officers: Dismissal

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) disciplinary proceedings,  (b) criminal charges and  (c) prosecutions followed the dismissals of prison officers from Welsh prisons in each year since 1998; and what the outcome was of those proceedings.

David Hanson: Staff can be dismissed from the Prison Service if their performance, attendance or conduct falls below the required standard. Disciplinary proceedings cease once a member of staff has been dismissed from service. The Prison Service does not maintain records of criminal charges or prosecutions that are instigated against former employees.

Prisoners Transfers

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what criteria are used to decide upon the transfer between prisons of inmates requiring high security conditions.

David Hanson: A number of factors are taken into consideration in deciding the transfer of prisoners requiring high security conditions. These include: whether the prisoner was on remand or sentenced; the possible need for vulnerable prisoner accommodation; the need of the prisoner to be able to address offending behaviour work and other targets set in the sentence plan; and the possible impact of the good order or discipline of the receiving prison.

Prisoners: Repatriation

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many British prisoners who have been transferred to the UK from other countries under international agreements have subsequently  (a) been pardoned and  (b) had their sentences reduced by the UK authorities.

David Hanson: No prisoner transferred to the United Kingdom under international prisoner transfer agreements has subsequently been pardoned by the UK authorities. A small number of prisoners transferred to the UK have had their sentences adapted where the sentence imposed in the other jurisdiction exceeded the maximum sentence available to the courts in the UK for the same offence. In these cases, the sentences were adapted to that maximum sentence. The number of prisoners who have had their sentences adapted in this way is not centrally recorded.

Prisons: Children in Care

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what proportion of inmates in  (a) secure training centres,  (b) youth offender institutions and  (c) prisons were in local authority care as children in the most recent year for which data is available.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	We do not have figures for the care status of young people in secure training centres. Figures are collected of the care status of young people in young offender institutions and prisons where that is known, but we are aware that establishments are not always informed whether young people coming into custody have looked after status. On 31 March 2007, 120 young people in young offender institutions or prisons were reported as being looked after by local authorities.

Prisons: Construction

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the estimated cost is of constructing  (a) the 8,000 new prison places announced by the former Home Secretary and  (b) the further 1,500 new prison places announced by the former Lord Chancellor; and with respect to how many of these places planning permission has been obtained.

David Hanson: Estimated capital costs for the 8,000 place programme are around 1.5 billion and new money is being made available to provide an additional 1,500 places.
	Planning permission has been sought and approved for 32 of the sites where additional prison places are being built.

Truancy: Fines

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the number of fines expected to be handed out to 17-year-olds who truant in the first year of implementation of such a policy.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	We set out our proposals to raise the minimum age at which young people can leave education and training to 18, in the Raising Expectations: staying in education and training post-16 Green Paper in March and the subsequent policy document on 5 November. If a young person drops out of education or training altogether, the focus will be on providing help, support and guidance to help them re-engage in learning as soon as possible. There will then be a series of administrative procedures that would be followed before a court process would be reached, where a fine could be imposed. It is difficult to assess exact numbers, but we would expect only a few young people would reach this stage.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

EU Reform Treaty

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK's timetable for ratification of the EU reform treaty.

Jim Murphy: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said
	The Government will recommend that there is sufficient time for debate on the Floor of the House so that the Bill is examined in the fullest detail and all points of view can be heard.
	Once the Bill has been approved by Parliament, the Government will ratify the treaty.

EU Reform Treaty

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of whether the Government's red lines have been secured in the EU reform treaty; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The former Prime Minister the right hon. Tony Blair set out the UK Government's red lines ahead of the June European Council.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has placed a document in the Library of the House setting out how the Government's red lines are protected in the draft reform treaty, with commentary explaining each provision in detail.

EU Reform Treaty

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the ratification of the EU reform treaty.

Jim Murphy: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said:
	The Government will recommend that there is sufficient time for debate on the Floor of the House so that the Bill is examined in the fullest detail and all points of view can be heard.
	Once the Bill has been approved by Parliament, the Government will ratify the treaty.

EU Reform Treaty

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the UK to ratify the EU Reform Treaty.

Jim Murphy: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said:
	The Government will recommend that there is sufficient time for debate on the Floor of the House so that the Bill is examined in the fullest detail and all points of view can be heard.
	Once the Bill has been approved by Parliament, the Government will ratify the Treaty.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution his Department is making in negotiations on international agreements to limit carbon dioxide emissions from aviation and shipping.

David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working with Government and EU partners on the essential elements of a comprehensive agreement on a post-2012 framework to address climate change. Aviation and maritime emissions is one of those elements. To maximise our chances of securing the comprehensive agreement the world needs, the FCO is working in key countries to promote support for new negotiations on a global successor to commitments agreed in Kyoto in 1997.

Iran

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on Iran's nuclear programme.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Iran's nuclear programme with EU Foreign Ministers at the meeting of the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 15 October. Since then he has held discussions on the issue with the French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Belgian and Finnish Foreign Ministers and with Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy.

EU Migration Policy

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to renegotiate EU migration policy.

Jim Murphy: EU member states first agreed to enhance co-operation on EU migration policy at the treaty of Maastricht and this was developed further under the Amsterdam treaty. At this time we obtained the ability to opt-in where in our national interest and we will continue to retain that.

Pakistan

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs If he will make a statement on the political situation in Pakistan.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the hon. Member for Barnsley Central.

Pakistan

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the General Affairs and External Relations Council last issued a statement on Pakistan; and whether it plans to do so in the near future.

Kim Howells: The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council last referred to Pakistan in a statement on Afghanistan on 12 December 2006. The specific text is available at:
	http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/press Data/en/gena/92123.pdf (paragraph 10, page 16).
	The EU last issued a statement on the current situation in Pakistan on 6 November.
	Future statements are a matter for the Council to decide.

Darfur

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in establishing a UN peacekeeping force for Darfur.

Kim Howells: The UN-African Union hybrid force (UNAMID) is due to assume authority from AMIS, the current African Union Mission in Sudan, no later than 31 December 2007, as mandated in UN Security Council Resolution 1769 of 31 July 2007. Work to manage the transition began in Sudan in early September and we are pressing UN and AU to deploy rapidly.

Darfur

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards the deployment of the UN-African Union hybrid force in Darfur; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UN-African Union hybrid force (UNAMID) is due to assume authority from AMIS, the current African Union Mission in Sudan, no later than 31 December 2007, as mandated in UN Security Council Resolution 1769 of 31 July 2007. Work to manage the transition began in Sudan in early September and we are pressing UN and AU to deploy rapidly.

Abduction: Dubai

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to assist Ms Grace Ciliberto of Wickford, Essex in the case of the abduction of her son in Dubai.

Kim Howells: Our staff in London and at our embassy in Dubai have provided consular assistance to Mrs. Ciliberto since September 2003. The case has been the subject of legal proceedings in both the UK and the UAE. The embassy have liaised with Mrs. Ciliberto and her lawyers regularly. They have also put her in touch with the City of Hope foundation, who assist women and children in Mrs. Ciliberto's position.

Middle East

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK's role in the middle east peace process.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced to the House on 14 November that the UK would deliver a comprehensive and ambitious economic recovery package, worth up to 243 million over three years, dependent on tangible progress towards peace. We expect the Annapolis meeting later this month to be substantive and to produce concrete results. We are working closely with the US, EU and regional counterparts to this end.

Burma

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Burma.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made a statement on Burma on 14 November. We welcome Professor Gambari's report on his recent visit to Burma and look forward to his early return. We support Aung San Suu Kyi's statement and her call for a
	'meaningful and time-bound dialogue'
	with the regime. These signs of progress are welcome, but much remains to be done to secure real political change.

UN-African Union Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the UN-African Union hybrid peacekeeping force mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1769 to be deployed; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UN-African Union (AU) hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur (UNAMID) is due to assume authority from the current AU Mission in Sudan no later than 31 December 2007, as mandated in UN Security Council Resolution 1769 of 31 July 2007. We are pressing the UN and the AU to have an effective deployment by this date.

Asylum: Applications

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many asylum applications were received at UK posts abroad in 2006-07; and of those how many were  (a) granted and  (b) refused.

Kim Howells: UKvisas does not record this information.
	There are no provisions in the immigration rules covering asylum applications. Under the 1951 Convention on Refugees the UK is obliged to consider asylum applications made in the UK only. Under the 1951 Convention asylum applications cannot be submitted in the applicant's home country.
	Anyone approaching a UK diplomatic post overseas to claim asylum in a country other than their own would be referred to the local Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees or advised to seek protection from the host government.

Bosnia: Politics and Government

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Jim Murphy: We are concerned about the recent deterioration of the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We are urging politicians from all sides to refrain from actions which undermine the foundations of the state, to ensure the efficient operation of state institutions and to take forward reforms which are necessary for BiH to move forward. We fully support High Representative Lajcak and urge all parties to uphold their obligations to respect and implement his decisions. The security situation within BiH remains stable.

Burma: Assets

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what value of funds belonging to the Burmese regime have been  (a) identified and  (b) frozen since 2000 by EU member states in accordance with the EU's Common Position 2000/346/CFSP.

Kim Howells: EU member states do not systematically share detailed information concerning the value of funds they have identified and frozen. However, they are legally obliged to freeze all funds and economic resources belonging to persons listed under the sanctions regime. It is prohibited to make funds or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to these persons.

Burma: Sanctions

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what broader measures that target sources of revenue for the Burmese regime the Government has discussed with other EU member states as referred to in the answer of 23 October 2007,  Official Report, column 188W, on Burma: sanctions.

Kim Howells: The UK has concentrated in its discussions with EU partners on implementation of the decisions, which were agreed by the EU on 15 October. Those decisions were aimed at increasing pressure on the Burmese regime through an export ban on equipment to the sectors of logs and timber and mining of metals, minerals, precious and semi-precious stones; an import ban of products of these sectors; and an investment ban on these sectors.
	The UK is also exploring with EU partners whether there are additional measures that could be brought to bear against members of the Burmese regime, should this become necessary.

China: Administration of Justice

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of the People's Republic of China on the development of the Chinese legal system to internationally-recognised standards; whether he expects such reforms to the Chinese legal system to be in place by 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We regularly urge the Chinese government to ensure that domestic legislation complies with international standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). During his visit to China in August my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, urged China to progress reforms and ratify the ICCPR as soon as possible. The Director of Public Prosecutions also raised ICCPR and China's criminal justice system when he visited Beijing in September. The Chinese government remains unwilling to commit to a timetable for ICCPR ratification. In 1997 the 15(th) Party Congress committed to developing a socialist legal system by 2010. President Hu Jintao's speech to the 17(th) Party Congress in October 2007 repeated the goal of
	speeding up the building of a socialist country under the rule of law.

Commonwealth

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has made to the proposals of some of the Commonwealth African members who wish to transfer the Commonwealth Headquarters from London to Kampala, Uganda.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is unaware of any proposals to transfer the Commonwealth Secretariat from London to Uganda.

Commonwealth Secretariat: Location

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the proposal by Commonwealth countries in Africa to transfer the Commonwealth Secretariat from London to Uganda; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) today (UIN 166017).

Convention Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will take steps to ratify the International Labour Organisation Convention 169 on the land rights of indigenous people.

Kim Howells: The Government have no plans to sign and ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 1989 (ILO 169). The UK takes its international law obligations very seriously and as a general rule will only sign and ratify an instrument when we can ensure our full compliance with it and commit to its implementation. The UK position with regard to ILO 169 was set out in a 1989 Department for Education and Employment White Paper (Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries Command Paper Number: CM 1078). As the White Paper noted, ILO 169 was essentially an update of the 1957 ILO Convention 107. The White Paper explained that Convention 107 could not be applied to the UK as there are no indigenous, tribal or semi-tribal people there, and so had not been ratified by the UK. The same arguments applied to ILO 169 as it did not alter the scope of Convention 107. This position still stands.
	The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. On 13 September 2007, the UK voted in favour of the adoption of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the UN General Assembly, as we had previously done at the Human Rights Council in June 2006. The adoption of this Declaration marks a significant advance for indigenous peoples around the world.

Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that English wine is served exclusively or at the request of guests at meals, parties and receptions hosted by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: All public procurement procedures must comply with the European Community treaty. The key principles of the treaty, from a public procurement point of view, are the free movement of goods and services, and non-discrimination on the grounds of nationality. This legislation is designed to ensure that all public procurement across the EU is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory.
	This means that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office cannot specify that it will buy goods (e.g. wine) only from a particular country or locality, as that would discriminate against producers from other EU member states.
	However, the Government are committed to increase opportunities for small and local suppliers to tender for contracts, thus increasing competition and securing better value for money.

Departmental Languages

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department's in-house language group was established; and how many of his Department's staff have received foreign language training in the language school since its establishment.

Kim Howells: The Diplomatic Language Laboratory was established at Westminster in 1965 and become the Diplomatic Service Language Centre in 1968. Since the 1990s, between 250-400 officers per year received language training at the Centre until its closure on 2 October 2007. To provide more detailed information on how many staff have been trained by the language school would incur disproportionate cost.
	The Middle East Centre for Arab Studies (MECAS) was established in 1944 and came under Foreign Office direction from around 1947. Around 1,100 students passed through MECAS between 1944 and 1978, when it closed.

Departmental Manpower

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the full-time equivalent headcount in his Department is; what the forecast full-time equivalent headcount for his Department is for financial years  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: On 1 October 2006 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and its agencies (Wilton Park and FCO Services) employed 6,130 full-time equivalent UK civil servants. In addition FCO missions overseas employ approximately 10,000 locally recruited staff.
	We do not yet have firm estimates for staff numbers in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Departmental Property

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by his Department on renovation and refurbishment of its properties in each of the last five years.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has spent the following sums on refurbishments and repairs in the last five financial years:
	
		
			   million 
			  Financial year  Major capital expenditure on refurbishments  Administration cost expenditure on minor repairs and refurbishment 
			 2002-03 8.9 1.7 
			 2003-04 6.2 2.6 
			 2004-05 3.4 3.8 
			 2005-06 5.5 7.0 
			 2006-07 9.3 5.9

Eritrea: Terrorism

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the terrorist threat originating from Eritrea.

Kim Howells: The Government are continually assessing the terrorist threat at home and abroad, including that originating from Eritrea.
	Accordingly, the estimated level of the terrorist threat to the UK, and UK interests overseas, is regularly adjusted and updated.
	We currently assess the terrorist threat to the UK from Eritrea to be low.

EU Reform: Treaties

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the ratification of the EU Reform Treaty.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 19 November 2007
	As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in his Post European Council statement of 22 October 2007,  Official Report, column 21:
	The Government will recommend that there is sufficient time for debate on the Floor of the House so that the Bill is examined in the fullest of detail and all points of view can be heard
	Once the Bill has been approved by Parliament, the Government will ratify the Treaty.

Guinea Bissau: EU Action

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on a European Security and Defence Policy mission to Guinea Bissau.

Jim Murphy: Following the report of a recent joint Council/Commission fact-finding mission, preparatory discussions have begun at official level about a European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) mission to Guinea-Bissau. No decisions have been taken, but, in principle, the Government supports the case for a targeted civilian ESDP mission to provide strategic advice to the Guinea-Bissau authorities on reform of the police, justice and security sector, to strengthen Guinea-Bissau's capacity to tackle the transit of drugs through its territory from Latin America to Europe.

Hong Kong: Politics and Government

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the Chief Executive's Green Paper on Constitutional Development; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: My right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Margaret Beckett) and my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, both discussed constitutional development with the Chief Executive when they visited Hong Kong in May and August 2007 respectively. I also had discussions with the Hong Kong Financial Secretary, John Tsang, at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council annual dinner last month. I hope that following the conclusion of the consultation period on the Green Paper, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will take the lead in producing proposals around which consensus can gather.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on its human rights obligations towards people it is detaining in Iraq.

Kim Howells: The UK detains individuals in Iraq for imperative security under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1723 (2006). It is a power we use sparingly. We hold 36 detainees at present.
	The rule of law is paramount. UK service personnel can, and will, be prosecuted if there is evidence that they have tortured, assaulted or committed any other offence against a person. UK forces are subject to English criminal law at all times wherever in the world they are serving. As a matter of policy we apply the standards of conduct set out in the Geneva Conventions.
	We have a stringent review procedure to ensure that internees are released as soon as they cease to pose an imperative threat to security. Internee cases are reviewed on a monthly basis. Individuals have the right to provide written representation at the monthly reviews of their internment and have regular access to lawyers. A joint Iraqi/Coalition review board sits quarterly to assess the cases of all UK-held internees and make recommendations. A separate joint Iraqi/Coalition internment committee reviews detention cases after 18 months to decide whether continued internment is necessary.
	Where possible, we seek to transfer the cases of individual detainees to the Iraqi justice system. We have assurances from the Government of Iraq that anyone transferred from UK to Iraqi custody will be treated in accordance with basic international human rights principles.
	The International Committee for the Red Cross has regular and open access to our internment facility and all our internees. The facility has also been inspected by a team from the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights.

Japan: Whales

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to build an international coalition to secure an outright ban on whaling as practised by the Japanese whaling fleet.

Kim Howells: The UK plays a prominent role in building and maintaining the coalition of anti-whaling countries within the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
	In advance of the 2007 Annual Meeting in Anchorage, the UK and its like-minded allies recruited a further six countries into the IWC with the result that the pro-whaling majority in that organisation was overturned.
	In a further response to UK lobbying efforts, several other countries have indicated willingness to support our opposition to Japanese whaling and to join the IWC in time for next year's annual meeting. British embassies and missions will shortly deliver to certain governments an updated version of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs publication Protecting WhalesA Global Responsibility as part of a lobbying campaign to encourage more countries to join the IWC, to strengthen further the global opposition to commercial whaling.

Kosovo: Politics and Government

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political and security situation in Kosovo.

Jim Murphy: I agree fully with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's assessment that the status quo in Kosovo is unsustainable. That is why the UK is committed to an early resolution of Kosovo's status.
	The security situation is calm but fragile. As for the political situation, simultaneous general, municipal and mayoral elections will be held in Kosovo on 17 November. The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe are fully engaged in ensuring that these take place in an orderly and well-conducted manner.

Kosovo: Politics and Government

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his  (a) EU and  (b) US counterpart on the possibility of Kosovo declaring unilateral independence from Serbia; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: I am in regular contact with my EU and US counterparts on the Kosovo status issue. When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I met Kosovo's cross-party Team of Unity, which represents Kosovo in status negotiations with Belgrade, in London on 9 October, we made clear to them that Kosovo must engage fully in the ongoing Troika process and stay in step with international efforts to bring the status process through to completion.

Kosovo: Politics and Government

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his Russian counterpart on the future status of Kosovo.

Jim Murphy: The UK is in regular contact with Russia on the Kosovo status process both bilaterally and as fellow members of the Contact Group. The Contact Group last met at ministerial level in New York on 27 September. The Contact Group issued a statement which agreed inter alia that an early resolution of Kosovo's status is crucial to the stability and security of the Western Balkans and Europe as a whole.

Opinion Leader Research

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many contracts were awarded by his Department and the agencies for which it is responsible to Opinion Leader Research in each year since 1997; and what was  (a) the title and purpose,  (b) the cost to the public purse and  (c) the dates of (i) tender, (ii) award, (iii) operation and (iv) completion and report to the Department or agency.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no record of any contracts being awarded to Opinion Leader Research since 1997.

Pakistan: Custody

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer of 9 November 2007,  Official Report, column 167, on Pakistan (detention), what assessment he has made of the treatment of  (a) Mrs. Asma Akhtar and  (b) other UK nationals who are involved in child custody cases in Pakistan's courts.

Kim Howells: In custody cases abroad involving British nationals, we offer advice and practical support to parents to assist them through their court proceedings. The courts must resolve custody cases of this kind. We understand that it is very difficult for the parents and children involved when the cases are not resolved quickly, but we are unable to intervene in the legal process of another country.
	We cannot comment on individual cases.

Pakistan: Custody

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the UK-Pakistan Judicial Protocol on Children Matters has been invoked in Pakistan's courts on behalf of a parent who has obtained relief by order of the High Court of the Family Division of England and Wales, regarding a child or children unlawfully retained there; and on how many of those times has a child or children been subsequently returned to England and Wales.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Family Division of the UK Royal Courts of Justice maintain records of cases brought under the Protocol. Since its inception in 2003, 84 cases have been brought under the Protocol. Of these, 49 involved actual abduction or wrongful retention of a child by a parent. 19 of these cases involved court proceedings being initiated in Pakistan and 22 cases resulted in returns from Pakistan to the UK. In some cases a child is returned to the UK before the court process is completed as the left behind parent cannot afford to continue to pursue the case.

Pakistan: Custody

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the UK-Pakistan Judicial Protocol on Children Matters is being observed by Pakistan's courts; and what representations he has received on the matter.

Kim Howells: We are currently funding a project to examine existing judgments made under the Protocol, both in the UK and in the Pakistan courts. This work is being carried out by reunite, the International Child Abduction Centre, a non-governmental charity organisation who specialise in advising parents on these matters. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received no representations on this matter.

Pakistan: Custody

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has taken steps to implement the recommendation in paragraph 7 of the UK-Pakistan Judicial Protocol on Children Matters to the governments of the UK and Pakistan to identify or consider creating a provision for an enforcement authority.

Kim Howells: The UK-Pakistan Protocol is a judicial understanding between the High Courts of the UK and Pakistan. It is not legally binding, but rather an informal framework for judges in both judiciaries to help return abducted children to their normal place of residence. The Government fully support the aims of the Protocol. Paragraph 7 of the Protocol
	recommended that the respective governments of the UK and Pakistan give urgent consideration to identifying or establishing an administrative service to facilitate or oversee the resolution of child abduction cases.
	For the UK we have a dedicated child abduction section within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We continue to seek ways to enhance the practical application of the Protocol. To this end we are supporting a conference to be held in Islamabad next year bringing together senior members of both the UK and Pakistan judiciaries, as well as UK and Pakistani officials, and non-governmental representatives.

Pakistan: Detainees

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the  (a) number and  (b) status of those held in detention following the declaration of a state of emergency in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: I made clear in a statement to the House on 7 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 130-32, that we condemn the mass detentions of politicians, lawyers and human rights activists, and call for their immediate release. It is vital that the Government of Pakistan act quickly to restore the Constitution, hold free and fair elections on schedule, honour the President's commitment to step down as Army Chief and lift restrictions on the media.
	It is not possible to put an exact figure on the number of people detained following the declaration of the state of emergency. There are various estimates ranging from a few hundred to several thousand. The situation is very fluid. Some of the detainees have been released. The detainees are being held in a wide variety of locations. Many are under house arrest, while some are imprisoned in jails and other facilities. The Pakistani authorities have used detention orders in some cases, but the legal status of the other detainees is not known.
	Our high commission in Islamabad has raised its concern for the welfare and safety of all those in detention at the highest levels. Close attention is being paid to their treatment and preparations are under way to visit or contact as many as possible.

Pakistan: Overseas Aid

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the  (a) nature and  (b) financial value was of (i) military and (ii) other assistance given to the Pakistani Government in each of the last three financial years; what the planned expenditure for each category is in the (A) current and (B) next financial year; which elements of assistance are under review following the suspension of the Pakistani constitution; and if he will make a statement on other areas of bilateral co-operation.

David Miliband: holding answer 12 November 2007
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, through the Global Opportunity Fund (GOF), bilateral programme budgets and the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP), funds programmes which work with various levels of the Government of Pakistan. There are no plans at present to make significant changes to this year's programme, but we will continue to keep all our funding under review in the light of the State of Emergency, suspension of the constitution and related developments.
	
		
			   
			  Fund  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 (GOF) Drugs and Crime 135,527 275,416 391,088 (1)295,730 (2) 
			 (GOF) Migration 67,311 175,612 97,020 282,107 (2) 
			 (GOF) Counter Terrorism 93,048 100,552 181,977 (1)2,322,793 (2) 
			 Bilateral Programme Budget (3) 15,928 16,597 31,306 (2) 
			 GCPP 19,843 0 0 0 (2) 
			 (1) Committed. (2) Not yet committed. (3) Specific figure not available. 
		
	
	The Serious Organised Crime Agency co-operates with the Pakistan Anti-Narcotics Force and other agencies. This co-operation includes the provision of a moderate amount of training and expertise, which currently costs the UK 100,000 per annum.
	The Government, under a Home Office grant, is planning to make up to 6 million available this financial year to pay for two helicopters for the Pakistan Anti-Narcotics Force.
	The Ministry of Defence has a long standing defence relationship with Pakistan. The comprehensive Defence Relations Activity Programme includes attendance by Pakistani military on UK training courses, British attendance on selected Pakistani courses, exchange visits, joint training exercises, annual staff talks, provision for visits by senior officers to Pakistan to meet their counterparts and for reciprocal visits made by Pakistani senior military to the UK. While activities are constantly reviewed throughout the course of a year, there are no plans at present to make significant changes to this year's programme. The plan for 2008-09 is under development but expected to be of a similar scale.
	
		
			  FundDefence Relations Activity Programme 
			   Amount 
			 2004-05 535,000 
			 2005-06 1.103 million 
			 2006-07 1.291 million 
			 2007-08 1.67 million 
			 2008-09 (1) 
			 (1) Currently under development. 
		
	
	Department for International Development spending is covered by the reply given to the hon. Member by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 19 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 533-34 W.
	Further information on bilateral co-operation can be found in my statement to the House on 7 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 130-32.

Pakistan: Politics and Government

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Pakistan in relation to the situation in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the then Pakistan Prime Minister Aziz and the then Foreign Minister Kasuri on 5 November. In both cases he urged the Pakistani Government to act quickly to restore the Constitution and in particular to ensure that free and fair elections are held by 15 January 2008, that political prisoners are released, that media restrictions are lifted and that President Musharraf honours his commitment to resign as head of the Army.
	My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, spoke to the then Prime Minister Aziz on 12 November when he reiterated our concerns and stressed that elections be free and fair.
	I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's statement to the House on 7 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 130-32.

Pakistan: Taliban

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress was made on the co-ordination of border control between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the course of the meeting referred to in the answer of 9 October 2007,  Official Report, columns 549-50W, on Pakistan: Taliban.

Kim Howells: During the 26 July meeting in Islamabad, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the then Foreign Minister Kasuri discussed Pakistani initiatives for border security and the need to work bilaterally and internationally in a consistent and coherent manner.
	A transcript of the press statement following this meeting is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at:
	www.fco.gov.uk.
	We continue to encourage Afghanistan and Pakistan to seek ways to improve their bilateral relationship. This includes maintaining momentum after the Joint Peace Jirga in August. We also continue to work with our international partners, including in the G8, to offer assistance to both countries to work closely on border security. Such co-operation is essential if a sustainable long-term solution is to be found.

Political Parties: EU Action

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government has made to the  (a) European Commission and  (b) European Parliament in relation to Commission proposal COM (2007) 0364 for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003.

Jim Murphy: The Government have set out their views on this proposal in the course of a range of contacts with the European Commission and European Parliament following the presentation in July 2007.
	Since July, the Government have had the opportunity to discuss this proposal with the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament in line with the terms of the Explanatory Memorandum submitted to Parliament on 23 July.

Serbia: Macedonia

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the security situation on the border between Serbia and Macedonia; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: Our assessment is that the situation along Macedonia's northern border is largely stable. Border control on Kosovo's border with Macedonia is undertaken by NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR), who have good links with the Macedonian Ministry of Interior.
	There continues to be a number of sporadic incidents. But these are generally perpetrated by organised and individual criminal elements and are not of a political nature. Most recently, a significant police operation took place on 7 November around the village of Brodec targeting civilian elements, which resulted in six arrests and six fatalities. The Macedonian Ministry of Interior reported no civilian or police casualties.

Serbia: Politics and Government

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlay the decision by the EU to initial the Stabilisation and Association Accord with Serbia; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The initialling of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia was a technical decision made by the European Commission. In taking this decision, the Commission took into consideration a report from UN War Crimes Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte, which assessed that there had been an improvement both in the search for fugitives and in the access to documents.
	As the EU made clear in the conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 18 June 2007, the pace and conclusion of the negotiations on the SAA would in particular depend on Serbia's progress in developing the necessary legislative framework and administrative capacity to implement its obligations under the Agreement, and on full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

Serbia: Politics and Government

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what EU criteria have been met by Serbia which allowed it to initial a Stabilisation and Association Accord with the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him today (UIN 165379).

Uganda State House

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the amount spent on the renovation of the Uganda State House in advance of the Queen's state visit.

Kim Howells: We are aware that the renovations to the Ugandan State House will cost a total of US$33 million. The UK has not made any financial contribution towards these costs.

Uganda State House

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government contributed to the cost of the renovation of the Ugandan State House prior to HM Queen Elizabeth's visit.

Kim Howells: The Government have not made a financial contribution towards the costs of the renovation of the Ugandan State House.

UN-African Union Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding commitment has been made by the international community to the UN-African Union hybrid peacekeeping force; and whether the funding has been received.

Kim Howells: All members of the UN will fund the UN-African Union (AU) hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur (UNAMID) through their assessed contributions. Discussions of UNAMID's budget are currently underway at the UN. We continue to pay for troop rotations to the AU Mission in Sudan, which will become part of the UNAMID force.

Venezuela

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the level of  (a) corruption,  (b) electoral fraud and  (c) human rights abuses in Venezuela.

Kim Howells: Corruption is a problem in Venezuela, as the Venezuelan government acknowledges. Venezuela was ranked 162 of a total of 179 in the Transparency International corruption perception index for 2007 (down from 138(th) place in 2006).
	The EU election monitoring mission to Venezuela for the 2006 presidential elections found that
	the electoral process complied in general with international standards and with national legislation as regards the management of the electoral administration.
	We encourage the Government of Venezuela to act on all of the mission's recommendations for future campaigns, including during the referendum on constitutional reform on 2 December, so that the people of Venezuela can take fully informed decisions in a democratic and safe environment.
	As in all countries, we monitor the human rights situation in Venezuela closely. We are encouraged by the positive steps taken by the Venezuelan government to improve the basic rights of the poorest sections of society, including in medical care. There are however a number of areas of concern, including difficult conditions in Venezuelan prisons and the deteriorating crime situation in major cities, with criminals too often enjoying impunity. Along with EU partners, we have also called for the Venezuelan government to uphold freedom of speech and freedom of the press as essential elements of democracy.
	Civil society has a vital role to play in ensuring the greatest possible protection of human rights and democratic values, and we will continue to work with them and the Government of Venezuela to achieve these objectives.

Wilton Park

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conferences have been hosted by Wilton Park since 27 June 2007; and what the  (a) cost to the public purse,  (b) titles and  (c) names of Ministers attending and  (d) names of private sponsors were.

Jim Murphy: Between 27 June 2007 and 14 November 2007 Wilton Park has hosted the following conferences:
	Human Trafficking : How Best to Stem the Flow;
	The EU's Institutional Future: Prospects for the Inter-governmental conference and beyond (in Warsaw);
	British-German Forum;
	Europe in the World: Developing the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy;
	What Future Priorities for the United Nations?
	Climate and energy Security: Towards a low carbon approach;
	Working with Libya today: International and economic relationsperspectives for change;
	Atlantic Youth Forum;
	Curbing Money Laundering: International Challenges;
	Energy Security in the European Union: The Eastern and Baltic Dimension (in Latvia);
	Countering Chemical and Biological Weapons (CBW) Proliferation;
	Polar Regions: Challenges and Possibilities;
	Migration: Towards a Coherent Policy (w/Euroforum in Spain);
	Democracy for development;
	Understanding deradicalisation; and
	Conflict prevention and development co-operation in Africa: A policy workshop.
	Wilton Park is an Executive Agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Wilton Park's financial target is to recover its running costs each year, although the FCO annually provides funding for capital costs at Wilton Park and strategic sponsorship of 123,000 per year.
	In financial year 2006-07, Wilton Park achieved its financial target. As Wilton Park is an Executive Agency of the FCO, there are arrangements in place for the FCO to cover any shortfall in the annual funding of Wilton Park.
	The following Ministers have attended Wilton Park between 27 June 2007 and 14 November 2007:-
	my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Kim Howells;
	my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Amos;
	my right hon. Friend the Minister for Security, Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Policing, Tony McNulty, and my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown.
	The following private sponsors provided support for the Wilton Park conferences during this period:-
	FCO
	Office of the Committee for European Integration, Warsaw
	The European Centre-Natolin
	UN Foundation
	Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership
	Shell Libya
	Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
	US Dept of StateBureau of Arms Control
	Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales, Spain
	Euroforum
	Manpower
	World Bank Institute
	Department for International Development
	Home Office
	UN Development Programme Africa.

Zimbabwe: Overseas Residence

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provisions are in place to provide for the safe passage of British citizens from Zimbabwe should the security situation necessitate such action.

Kim Howells: We take very seriously our consular responsibility for all British nationals in Zimbabwe and keep Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice under constant review. There have been no incidents recently that prompt us to consider that the threat to British nationals has increased significantly. We have contingency arrangements in place, as we do for many other countries, should the security situation change. These focus on British nationals leaving Zimbabwe by public and private means.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Security

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what account is taken of security of supply by his Department in formulating policy relating to support for UK agriculture.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA takes the issue of food security very seriously. Food security is about ensuring consumers have access to a stable and adequate supply of food. In December 2006, DEFRA published a wide-ranging study of food security which concluded that the UK, being a rich, open economy, has a very robust and diverse food supply.
	A key objective of our vision for farming is for British consumption of British food to come from the skills, innovation, investment, branding, and quality assurance of a market-focused farming industry. DEFRA's Farming For the Future programme will help create the right conditions to achieve this vision.
	The UK has long been a net importer of food and the Government believe that an important element in facilitating national and international food security is improved trading relationships based on more open international markets and reductions in trade distorting subsidies.
	We will continue to monitor key indicators of our food security. These include the level of diversity of our trading partners, trends in world commodity markets, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations' analysis of trends in global food production and demand as well as the level of self sufficiency for the EU as a whole (which is currently over 90 per cent.).
	We recognise too that our food chain relies on various forms of energy and that energy security is a primary concern. The Government's Energy White Paper (May 2007), specifically considers how our energy security can be maintained and enhanced in an uncertain world.

Animal Welfare

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Home Affairs and the Lord Chancellor on the implementation of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 in relation to section 32 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Jonathan R Shaw: Post-conviction powers are the responsibility of the Home Office to implement. However, DEFRA officials hold regular discussions, on this and a range of other issues, with stakeholders and colleagues in other Government Departments.

Beaches: EU Law

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what standard will be adopted as the minimum acceptable for UK bathing waters under the revised bathing water directive when it comes into force in March 2008.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 19 November 2007
	The revised bathing water directive requires that all UK bathing waters must achieve at least the 'sufficient' classification (with limited exceptions) by the end of the 2015 bathing season. The 'sufficient' standard is more stringent than the 'mandatory' standard, the minimum to be achieved under the current bathing water directive.
	DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly Government have recently launched a joint consultation putting forward proposals for the implementation of the revised directive in England and Wales which can be found on the DEFRA website.

Beaches: EU Law

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of bathing waters tested by the Environment Agency in the most recent year for which figures are available would be classified as  (a) poor,  (b) satisfactory,  (c) good and  (d) excellent under the revised bathing water directive which comes into force in March 2008.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 19 November 2007
	 The Environment Agency has used its bathing water quality monitoring data from 2003 to 2006 to assess the compliance rate that might be expected in England under the revised bathing water directive (see following table). These predictions are necessarily made on the assumption that no further action is taken to improve bathing water quality between now and when the first classifications under the revised bathing water directive are expected to be made at the end of the 2015 bathing season. However, measures will continue to be taken in the catchments of some bathing waters to ensure they comply with the requirements of both the current and revised bathing water directives.
	
		
			  Classification  Number of bathing waters 
			 Excellent 213 
			 Good 110 
			 Sufficient 52 
			 Poor 33 
			 Total 408

Beaches: Facilities

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what the statutory obligations of local authorities are on the management and provision of facilities on beaches;
	(2)  what guidance is available to local authorities on the development of management plans for beaches.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 19 November 2007
	My Department does not have responsibility for statutory obligations on local authorities for facilities on beaches, nor does it produce guidance on the development of management plans for beaches. DEFRA has however recently updated guidance on Shoreline Management Plans and is currently funding a review of all such plans around the coast. Shoreline Management Plans provide a large-scale assessment of the flood and erosion risks associated with coastal processes and present a long-term policy framework to reduce these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable manner. Guidance may also be provided by other organisations.
	Under section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 local authorities have a duty to keep their relevant land clear of litter and refuse, which includes parts of the beach above the high water mark. There are other controls in place to deal with litter and waste in marine environments below the high water mark, but local authorities are advised to monitor and clean these areas as appropriate.
	In addition, there are a number of voluntary schemes in the UK including the Blue Flag Scheme, the Seaside Awards and the Good Beach Guide. The Blue Flag Scheme is administered by ENCAMS in the UK and its criteria for 2008 includes standards for environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, and safety and services.

Bluetongue Disease

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice he has received on the likelihood of uninfected midges becoming infected in 2008 from biting ruminants which have recovered from bluetongue disease.

Jonathan R Shaw: Advice on the scientific aspects of the disease is provided by DEFRA's Expert Group on Bluetongue. Current advice is that over a winter period large numbers of midges are killed at low temperatures. However, some of the northern species of midges do survive, and may potentially breed. Although the virus is present in midges for only a limited time, animals, particularly infected cattle, may retain the virus in their body for 60 days or more. This means that the bluetongue virus can be sustained over the winter period.
	Last year, Europe had a mild winter. This supported midge activity, and low levels of disease circulation were possible throughout the winter. A similar situation is possible in the UK this winter. DEFRA (in conjunction with scientists from the Institute for Animal Health at Pirbright, the European Union, and the World Community Reference Laboratory for Bluetongue), will continue to monitor and review the situation in light of the latest information and research from affected countries.

Bluetongue Disease

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has for blood-testing of ruminants outside the bluetongue protection zone to establish the spread of disease.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA has put in place measures to minimise the risks of disease spread, in line with EU legislation and the UK Bluetongue Control Strategy.
	Surveillance is ongoing in the Protection and Surveillance zones and includes clinical inspections and testing of susceptible animals. At the present time, blood testing of ruminants outside the Protection Zone (originally termed the Control Zone) is concentrated on animals that had been moved out of the Protection Zone into the Surveillance Zone and the Free Area outside of the zones during the period of infection risk before movement controls were applied. In addition, animals exhibiting clinical signs associated with bluetongue which are reported to Animal Health are being tested. It remains vitally important that farmers maintain their vigilance in checking their animals and report any suspect cases of disease, particularly as clinical signs may be similar to foot and mouth disease.

Bluetongue Disease: Disease Control

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms are in place to provide him with interim assessments of the  (a) effectiveness and  (b) proportionality of restrictions on farmers' commercial operations introduced as part of initiatives to control bluetongue; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: We work closely with a Core Group of industry stakeholders to help formulate proposals, seek solutions and hear views on the effectiveness and proportionality of bluetongue control measures. Members of the Group include senior individuals from the following organisations, attending in a personal capacity: National Beef Association, British Veterinary Association, Livestock Auctioneers Association, National Farmers Union, National Sheep Association and British Meat Processors Association.
	With this Core Group, we are reviewing the disease situation and control strategy in order to ensure it is proportionate to the disease risks. In doing so, full account is taken of the latest epidemiological and veterinary assessments, and analysis of costs and benefits of disease control measures and their likely economic impacts. In addition, Animal Health is undertaking a comprehensive disease surveillance programme, which enables us to monitor the disease situation.
	We are keeping the control measures under review as the bluetongue disease situation develops. We are very conscious that we must balance the need to reduce the pressure on the industry with the overriding objective of controlling the spread of this disease.

Bluetongue Disease: Disease Control

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that farmers and their representative organisations have the most up-to-date information available on the  (a) details,  (b) implications and  (c) likely timetable of measures to control the bluetongue outbreak.

Jonathan R Shaw: It is a priority for DEFRA Ministers and officials to work closely with, and listen to, farmers and the leaders of industry during the bluetongue outbreak. DEFRA works closely with a wide range of farming industry stakeholders on a daily basis to ensure effective communication with farmers. Stakeholders have been kept in touch with the latest developments by email updates and regular telephone conferences. One of the major issues currently being discussed is the scope of the future control measures that we need, including the question of whether to extend the existing zones to cover a wider area. This will depend on the epidemiological situation and an assessment of the implications of our current measures.
	All registered keepers of livestock within the bluetongue protection and surveillance zones were contacted within 24 hours of the zones being declared. Since the start of the bluetongue outbreak on 28 September, approximately 200,000 information messages have been sent to livestock keepers subject to movement restrictions. These include approximately 140,000 voicemail messages, text messages, e-mails and facsimiles. In addition, approximately 50,000 information packs have been sent to registered livestock keepers. Animal Health has also launched a public voice-recorded information line, which is intended to serve an audience who are unable to access the DEFRA website. Currently, the DEFRA Helpline is also available seven days a week for all queries relating to bluetongue.
	DEFRA officials are keen to receive any specific proposals from stakeholders and livestock keepers about how communication methods could be further improved in the event of a disease outbreak.

Bluetongue Disease: Disease Control

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will introduce measures for the testing and moving of continent bulls under special licence alongside measures to control the bluetongue outbreak.

Jonathan R Shaw: We assume the hon. Gentleman is referring to the movement of domestic breeding stock.
	All ruminants are subject to current bluetongue control measures, as outlined in EU and domestic legislation and the UK Bluetongue Control Strategy.
	We are considering whether it is possible to introduce practical measures that can mitigate the risk of disease spread if susceptible animals are moved out of the restricted zone to live. The conditions set out in the new Commission Regulation to allow such movements are very stringent and not easy to implement. They include the testing of animals and the protection of animals from disease vectors.
	Through close partnership with industry stakeholders, we are keeping all movement controls under review as the disease situation develops. We are very conscious that we must balance the need to reduce the pressure on the industry with the overriding objective of controlling bluetongue.

Bluetongue Disease: Shropshire

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on the farming industry of measures put in place to control bluetongue with particular reference to the movement and sale of pedigree  (a) sheep and  (b) cattle in (i) Shropshire and (ii) Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Assessments have been made, on the livestock industry as a whole, of the impact of current disease control measures. These assessments are informing DEFRA's cost/benefit analysis of those measures. Separate assessments of the effect on the pedigree sheep and cattle markets in Shropshire or Montford Bridge have not been made as these would be subject to considerable margins of error.
	In agreement with a core group of industry stakeholders, DEFRA remains committed to a disease control approach which aims to contain disease within the current control and protection zones, in line with 'Phase 1' of the UK Bluetongue Control Strategy. This takes into account the epidemiological situation, the time of year (coming towards the end of the vector season), and the cost benefit analysis of disease control measures and their likely economic impacts.
	This assessment remains under constant review, and recognises that efforts to contain disease may become disproportionate to the costs to industry, and therefore the strategy may have to change. However, using the above assessment, this point has not yet been reached.

Bluetongue Disease: Vaccination

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost of tendering for bluetongue vaccine;
	(2)  when he expects to issue a formal tender for a bluetongue vaccine bank;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of doses of bluetongue vaccine which will be necessary to eradicate the disease from the UK;
	(4)  what plans he has for a vaccination strategy for bluetongue disease when a vaccine becomes available.

Jonathan R Shaw: On 1 November, my Department issued a tender to supply between 10 and 20 million doses of bluetongue vaccine for a vaccine bank. We also announced that this decision had been taken on the same day. The tender closes on 15 November and an order will be placed as soon as possible after that date, once we have assessed the bids submitted.
	This step has been taken on the advice of the Acting Chief Veterinary Officer and the core group of bluetongue stakeholders, in light of the potential benefits that vaccination could provide in managing disease should it re-appear next year. Further work is also being carried out by the farming industry on the likely take-up of that vaccine if a scheme were to be voluntary, although that decision has not yet been taken. This work will inform our final decision on the numbers of doses required.
	The cost of establishing the vaccine bank will be dependent on the size of the order placed and the outcome of the tendering process. No assessment has been made of the cost of the tender process itself.
	We are developing a detailed vaccination plan with bluetongue scientific experts, representatives of the farming industry and others setting out how a vaccination programme would work. This plan will be needed to seek the approval of the European Commission to vaccinate. Discussions are also taking place with the European Commission and other member states.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when a decision will be made on the proposed policy of badger culling.

Jonathan R Shaw: The question of whether badger culling has a role to play in controlling bovine TB in cattle is complex.
	The Secretary of State has been clear that the next step is for the DEFRA ministerial team to have discussions with interested parties, including Professor John Bourne, former Chair of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB, and the Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King. We also wish to take into account the views from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee following its inquiry into badgers and bovine TB.
	While we are keen to make progress on reaching a decision, there is no specific timetable for doing so.

Committee on Climate Change

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the members are of the Committee on Climate Change; and when he expects it to meet.

Phil Woolas: The Chair and Members of the Committee on Climate Change have not yet been appointed. The Committee is being established in 'shadow' form ahead of Royal Assent of the Climate Change Bill, to ensure that it is able to fully consider its advice on the level of the first three carbon budgets before 1 September 2008 (as required by the Bill).
	The positions available on the 'shadow' Committee have been advertised and the recruitment process is ongoing. A date for appointments has not yet been decided, but we anticipate that the 'shadow' Committee will wish to hold its first meeting shortly after appointment.

Dairy Farming: Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely impact on the small scale intensive dairy farming in England of the 230 kg nitrogen limit in relation to grassland.

Jonathan R Shaw: The partial regulatory impact assessment (RIA) and supporting paper G4 - Assistance in the partial RIA including extended Nitrate Vulnerable Zones provides details of my Department's assessment of the likely impact on farming in England of the proposed Nitrates Action Programme measures. These documents are available on the DEFRA website.
	The assessments estimate the likely cost to the dairy sector of implementing the 170 kg N/ha/yr (nitrogen/hectares/year) whole farm limit for livestock manures as approximately 16.5 - 21.5 million each year.
	These costs would be reduced if my Department was successful in obtaining a derogation from this limit.

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to complete his review of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991; when he expects to announce the outcome of that review; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 15 November 2007
	Following recent tragic incidents involving dog attacks on children this year, we have undertaken a review of the dangerous dogs legislation. Officials consulted all chief police officers in England and Wales to find out their views on how effective the dangerous dogs legislation is, what could be done to improve enforcement and whether any parts of the law need to be changed. Officials discussed the results of this consultation with the Association of Chief Constables (ACPO).
	In the light of this consultation, we believe that the priority is for existing law to be more effectively enforced rather than introducing new legislation. Officials will work closely with the police service, local authorities and animal welfare organisations to achieve this.
	All dogs, not just those types banned under the dangerous dogs legislation, may present a risk to the public if they are not properly looked after. There is already robust law in place to deal with the problem of dogs that are out of control in public places. But there is a limit to how far laws, however well written they may be, can tackle the small minority of dog owners who are either irresponsible or, for other reasons, find it difficult to look after their animals properly. I therefore welcome the work being done by those animal welfare organisations that go out and offer practical advice and help to those who are having difficulties. I believe this is the best way of effectively fostering a more responsible attitude to dog ownership in this country.
	I know that some feel that the law relating to dog attacks in the home should be strengthened. I am not convinced that changing the existing law would help those who enforce the law or administer justice, or reduce the number of attacks that take place in domestic places. This is an area that we will keep under close review and, if necessary, we will make changes to the law if we think that this will reduce these very distressing incidents that occur within a family context.

Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that English wine is served exclusively or at the request of guests at meals, parties and receptions hosted by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: All public procurement procedures must comply with the EC treaty. The key principles of the treaty, from a public procurement point of view, are the free movement of goods and services, and non-discrimination on the grounds of nationality. This legislation is designed to ensure that all public procurement across the European Union is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory.
	This means that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs cannot specify that it will only buy goods (e.g. wine) from a particular country or locality, as that would discriminate against producers from other EU member states.
	However, the Government are committed to increasing opportunities for small and local suppliers to tender for contracts, thus increasing competition and securing better value for money. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs does this by requesting catering service providers to demonstrate their policy on the development of small to medium enterprises.
	The hon. Member may wish to refer to the joint DEFRA/OGC guidance on incorporating environmental considerations into purchasing in the Joint Note on Environmental Issues in Purchasing at:
	http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/environmental_issues-defra.pdf
	More detailed guidance on food procurement, including the issue of 'local sourcing' can be found on Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative section of the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/index.htm
	and the DEFRA Catering Services and Food Procurement Toolkit link at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/toolkit.htm .

Departmental Manpower

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many civil servants in his Department  (a) transferred to other Government Departments and  (b) left the Civil Service in each of the last five years.

Jonathan R Shaw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Angela Eagle) on 13 November 2007,  Official Report, column 203W.

Departmental Manpower

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the full-time equivalent headcount in his Department is; what the forecast full-time equivalent headcount for his Department is for  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Information on DEFRA's current full-time equivalent headcount is available from the quarterly workforce statistics published by ONS:
	www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/pse0907.pdf.
	No information is available on the headcount figures for 2008-09 and 2009-10 as DEFRA has not yet have finalised its workforce forward projections.

Diabrotica Virgifera

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what steps his Department plans to take to control the outbreaks of Diabrotica virgifera to the west of London, following the public consultation;
	(2)  what steps his Department  (a) has planned,  (b) is pursuing and  (c) has completed to identify the origin of the outbreak of Diabrotica virgifera to the west of London;
	(3)  whether his Department  (a) has used and  (b) plans to use DNA profiling techniques to help to identify the origin of the outbreak of Diabrotica virgifera to the west of London; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 19 November 2007
	Diabrotica virgifera, the western corn rootworm (WCR), is a serious pest that is listed in EC plant health legislation.
	Investigations into the origins of the populations of WCR found in the south-east of England are very difficult because the means by which it was introduced are unclear. There is circumstantial evidence to suggest that WCR is spread by aircraft since outbreaks have been closely associated with airports throughout Europe. However, to date, no studies have been carried out on the presence of potentially invasive insects on aircraft.
	A study is being carried out to assess the feasibility of using DMA genetic markers to identify entry pathways of invasive pests such as WCR. The results are due to be published soon. However, they indicate that the cases in the UK have been introduced from at least two sources, linked to populations in the USA and eastern Europe. Other published studies have also suggested at least three independent introductions of this pest into Europe from North America during the past two decades.
	Crop rotation is the most effective means of controlling WCR and enforced rotation of maize crops is required under statutory notice in infected areas of the UK, in line with the EU legislation. A range of alternative management options for the control or eradication of WCR have been used in areas where the pest occurs, including foliar insecticide treatments for use against adult beetles. Unfortunately, there are no effective methods of spraying such insecticides in the UK, since aerial application is not possible around airports and high clearance sprayers are not generally available. Insecticide seed treatments may exert a limited degree of control against larvae in the soil but will not eradicate the pest. Since the pathway for entry of WCR remains unidentified and hence uncontrolled, the possibility of further introductions remains high. Public consultation has been completed to determine future policy regarding this pest, taking account of EU legislation and recent survey results, and the outcome will be published shortly.

Disease Control: Pirbright

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whose responsibility it is to repair the faulty drains at the Pirbright Research Laboratory in Surrey; and when he expects this work to be carried out.

Jonathan R Shaw: Those responsible for repairing the drains are the Institute of Animal Health (IAH), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (which owns the land and buildings on the Pirbright site) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills as the IAH's and BBSRC's sponsoring Department.
	Remedial action was taken immediately after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported on a survey of the drainage system on 17 August, and was followed by further work, which was completed and independently validated and tested by 4 November 2007. Details of the work to repair the system, and an Improvement Plan to implement recommendations made by HSE and Professor Spratt in their respective reports on the disease outbreak, were published in the Government's Response to the reports on 7 September and is available on the DEFRA website.

Disease Control: Pirbright

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has investigated whether there was any deliberate release of foot and mouth from the Pirbright Centre.

Jonathan R Shaw: Investigations into the cause of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak have considered a number of possible scenarios, including the possibility of deliberate release of the pathogen. Professor Spratt recognised in his report, published on 7 September 2007, that identifying the source of an outbreak of this kind with any certainty is always likely to be inconclusive, unless some gross and obvious breakdown in a safety critical feature has occurred. He concluded that there were no indications of deliberate release, and that the most likely cause of the outbreak was release of infectious FMD virus from the effluent pipes.

Energy: Conservation

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research his Department has commissioned on the reasons why householders install  (a) energy efficiency methods and  (b) micro-renewable technologies.

Phil Woolas: We have an ongoing programme of research to develop our evidence and understanding of what motivates individuals to take action to reduce their environmental impacts. This work helps underpin the measures and policies at the heart of our climate change programme.
	Key research projects include:
	(i) regular annual surveys on public attitudes towards the environment, with the results of the 2007 survey published on 15 August;
	(ii) Public Understanding of Sustainable Energy Use in the Home, which will be published on 19 November;
	(iii) a project to develop the new DEFRA 'segmentation model', which seeks to understand what motivates the actions of different individuals; what information is helpful and how is it understood; and the extent to which people take personal responsibility for their climate change impacts.
	In general terms, our research has shown that key motivators for householders investing in energy efficiency and microgeneration measures are the 'feel good' factor; being seen to be doing the 'right thing'; and personal financial benefit.

Flood Control: Gloucester

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the proposed Hunts Grove settlement, near Gloucester, is  (a) in the flood plain and  (b) likely to have an impact on the adjacent flood plains.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency has confirmed that the Hunts Grove development site near Gloucester does not lie in a floodplain location shown on their Flood Map. The Agency has been involved in the planning consultation process for the development since 2005, and in March 2007, advised the local planning authority, Stroud district council, that the development was deemed to be acceptable.
	The development is not considered at risk of flooding from the nearby Shorn Brook. Surface water drainage is to be managed using sustainable drainage techniques to restrict discharge of surface water to existing levels present on site. This includes measures to account for the potential effects of climate change, which is in accordance with current flood risk planning policy (PPS25) to prevent any increase in flooding and flood risk elsewhere from pluvial sources.

Flood Control: Gloucester

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has had discussions with local authorities in Gloucestershire on whether the flooding in summer 2007 is likely to cause a re-assessment of where to place new residential developments.

Phil Woolas: Current development in England follows the Communities and Local Government planning policy statement 25 Development and Flood Risk.
	The Environment Agency are using data from the summer floods in their assessments and will continue to work with local planning authorities to prevent inappropriate development taking place in areas at risk from flooding.

Flood Control: Planning

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on construction industry contracts for flood defences for  (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and  (b) England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency has provided details of how much it spent on construction industry contracts for flood defences in the five years to 2006-07.
	Expenditure for the Agency's north east region is based on a review of project types in year-end financial reports for the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee area. England and Wales data reflects expenditure through National Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Agreement (consultant) and National Framework Contractor frameworks. Flood management is a devolved function and my Department has policy responsibility only for funding in England.
	
		
			  NE region contract expenditure  Total (000) 
			 2002-03 23,106 
			 2003-04 17,799 
			 2004-05 16,157 
			 2005-06 22,150 
			 2006-07 14,480 
		
	
	
		
			  England and Wales  Total (000) 
			 2002-03 54,300 
			 2003-04 129,400 
			 2004-05 133,000 
			 2005-06 148,300 
			 2006-07 155,200 
			  Source:  England and Wales 2002-03from national capital programme management service spend records. 2003-04from end of year procurement statistics. Total framework supplier spend used as spend data is not split out by framework contract. 2004-07from end of year procurement statistics. Data specific to National Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Agreement and National Framework Contractor frameworks.

Flood Control: Planning

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will consider having a direct contact point for the construction industry in the Environment Agency on flood defences and other infrastructures that affect coastal, river and pluvial flooding.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency maintains a large number of contacts with the construction industry, utilities and other operators at a host of levels (both nationally and regionally) on a broad range of operational, policy and process topics. These contacts include relationships with professional bodies such as the Institution of Civil Engineers, CIWEM and trade associations such as the Civil Engineering Contractors Association and the Association of Consulting Engineers.
	Major flood risk management schemes delivered by the Environment Agency are primarily promoted through its long-term framework contracts. These partnerships have established communications protocols that allow the supply chain direct access to senior procurement and capital programme management staff.
	In short, because the nature of these contacts is particularly diverse, the Environment Agency does not feel that it is practical or beneficial to nominate a single contact for the construction industry.

Flood Control: Utilities

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to give  (a) electricity sub-stations and  (b) water treatment infrastructure greater protection from flooding.

Phil Woolas: The operators of electricity and water supply infrastructure are responsible for contingency planning to ensure continuity of service in the event of hazards such as flooding.
	The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has requested that electricity network operators should review the resilience of electricity substations to flooding. This work is underway under the leadership of the Energy Networks Association. The outcome will be reported to the Energy Minister via the Energy Emergency Executive, a joint BERR, Ofgem and Industry forum. The water industry has appointed Sir John Baker to chair an industry wide review on how to reduce the impacts of future flooding on water customers, including the vulnerability of water infrastructure to climate change.
	Both reviews will help inform Sir Michael Pitt's independent review of the summer's flooding which, among other things, is looking at the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, including its ability to withstand flooding and what improvements might be made.

Floods

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the flooding in summer 2007 was due to  (a) river flooding and  (b) surface water flooding.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency estimates that, of the domestic and commercial properties affected by flooding during summer 2007, one third were flooded from rivers and two thirds from other sources, predominantly surface water.

Floods: North Yorkshire

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received on the effect of increased rat infestations in North Yorkshire following the floods this summer.

Phil Woolas: The Department has not received any representations on this subject.

Floods: Thurrock

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the vulnerability of Thurrock to flooding from surge tide in the Thames following the high tides on 8 and 9 November; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The flood defences at Thurrock are designed to protect against a one in 1,000 annual probability tidal event. The recent surge at Great Yarmouth was estimated to be a one in 40 event.
	The Environment Agency has inspected the defences along the Thames frontage at Thurrock following the recent surge and no damage has been sustained.

Floods: Yorkshire and the Humber

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the length of the main rivers running through Yorkshire have flood protection.

Phil Woolas: Approximately 35 per cent. of the length of main rivers in Yorkshire have raised flood defences. Flood protection is also provided by natural high ground and by the capacity of the channel.
	Environment agency figures show that 1171 km of hard defences exist in urban areas, out of a total length of 3322 km of river.

Foie Gras

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much foie gras was imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 19 November 2007
	The table shows the value and volume of foie gras (recorded as preparations of goose or duck liver containing 75 per cent. or more by weight of fatty livers by HMRC) imported into the UK from 2002 to August 2007.
	
		
			  UK imports of preparations of goose or duck liver containing 75 per cent. or more by weight of fatty livers, 2002 to August 2007 
			   Tonnes  000 
			 2002 56 658 
			 2003 83 787 
			 2004 157 716 
			 2005 119 777 
			 2006 127 994 
			 January to August 2007 88 418 
			  Note:  2007 data is subject to amendments.   Source:  H M Revenue and Customs. Data prepared by Trade statistics, Agricultural Statistics and Analysis Division, DEFRA

Foie Gras

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what sanctions apply to people producing foie gras in Great Britain; and how many convictions for this offence have taken place in the last three years.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 19 November 2007
	Foie gras is not produced in the UK and this Government have made its views very clear that the production of foie gras using force feeding gives rise to serious welfare concerns. If any production were to occur, Animal Health would be asked to investigate and advise on any contravention of UK animal welfare laws.

Foie Gras

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward proposals to ban the sale of foie gras in the UK.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA has no plans to ban the sale of foie gras in the UK. The free movement of goods is a well established principle in Community law and is enshrined in Part III, Title I of the treaty establishing the European Community (TEC). A unilateral ban by the UK on the import or sale of foie gras would contravene the provisions of the TEC and would result in proceedings being brought against us before the European Court of Justice. Ultimately, it is down to consumers to decide if they want to purchase foie gras or not.

Food: Labelling

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he plans to include information on food miles in food labelling; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Food miles alone, or the distance food has travelled, is an incomplete way of judging whether the food we eat is sustainable. Research shows that, on its own, distance travelled is not a sufficient indicator of the environmental impact of food transport. I therefore have no plans to press for food miles to be included on food labelling.

Foot and Mouth Disease: South West Region

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the financial impact of the recent outbreak of foot and mouth and bluetongue disease on farmers in the South West.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA's current best estimate of the economic cost to the UK livestock sector of the movement restrictions and the ban on exports, imposed as a result of the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease and bluetongue, is 100 million. Disaggregated estimates of the cost to farmers in the south west of England have not been made as these would be subject to considerable margins of error.

Fuel Poverty: Standards

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's target is on eliminating fuel poverty.

Phil Woolas: The Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 places a statutory duty on the Secretary of State, so far as England is concerned, to prepare and publish
	a strategy setting out his policies for ensuring, by means including the taking of measures to ensure the efficient use of energy, that as far as reasonably practicable persons do not live in fuel poverty.
	A similar duty is placed on Welsh Ministers.
	The Act requires this duty to be met by a target date which is not more than 15 years after the date on which the strategy is published. The Government are working towards reducing fuel poverty so far as is reasonably practicable in England and Wales by 2016 and 2018 respectively. The Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement published in 2002 sets out the target that the Scottish Government will ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that people are not living in fuel poverty in Scotland by 2016.
	In Northern Ireland, the Department for Social Development and its partners, subject to the availability of the necessary resources, aim to eliminate fuel poverty in all households by 2016. There is no underpinning legislation.

Game: Birds

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it his policy to ban the use of metal battery cages used for the rearing of gamebirds for shooting.

Jonathan R Shaw: Gamebirds reared for sporting purposes are covered by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. DEFRA is proposing to use powers under the Act to produce a Code of Practice for the breeding and rearing of gamebirds, which will provide guidance on both accommodation and management methods. Any code would be subject to pubic consultation and endorsement by Parliament.
	DEFRA is aware that there are concerns about the use of cages, or raised laying units as they are known to the industry, for the breeding of gamebirds. Therefore, we have asked the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) to assess this system of management and report back on its findings. It is anticipated that the report will be ready by the summer of 2008 and will inform the Working Group about this type of breeding system, and the extent to which any identified problems can be addressed through a code of practice.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Grants

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many grants under the Home Energy Efficiency (Warm Front) Scheme have been offered to householders in  (a) England,  (b) the South West and  (c) Torridge and West Devon; and how many of those grants have been taken up by the applicants.

Phil Woolas: During the financial year 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007, Warm Front provided grants to 253,079 households. Of these, 19,424 were in the South West and 511 were in Torridge and West Devon.
	For the same period, 99 per cent. of householders offered a grant in England accepted. Of the 1 per cent. who did not, 96 per cent. had received a grant previously.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Grants

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Eaga's average administration cost was for grants made under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (Warm Front) in the latest period for which figures are available.

Phil Woolas: For reasons of commercial sensitivity, we are unable to provide this information.

Insurance Companies

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to revise the Statement of Principles with the insurance industry.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave her on 12 November 2007,  Official Report, column 14W.

Interdepartmental Working Group on British Waterways

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when he expects the first meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group on British Waterways to take place; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  with reference to the answer of 29 October 2007,  Official Report, column 724W, which of his ministerial colleagues have responded to his letter on the Interdepartmental Working Group on British Waterways; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what response his Department received from the Department for  (a) Culture, Media and Sport,  (b) Health,  (c) Transport and  (d) Communities and Local Government to the letter sent by the Minister for Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs on the Interdepartmental Working Group on British Waterways; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: So far I have received positive responses from the Secretaries of State for Transport, Health, Communities and Local Government, and Culture, Media and Sport. The inaugural meeting of the Interdepartmental Working Group is scheduled for 18 December 2007.

Lamb: Imports

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether any special economic arrangements exist between the UK and New Zealand on the import of New Zealand lamb to the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: A trade agreement for the import of sheepmeat between the European Union and New Zealand does exist and is commonly known as a Voluntary Restraint Agreement. In return for a reduction in import duties, New Zealand restricts the amount they send to the Community to 228,000 tonnes a year.
	Under this agreement, the UK can import sheepmeat from New Zealand. In 2006, the UK imported 83,400 tonnes of lamb from New Zealand, taking the largest share of the total EU imports of 190,000 tonnes. Up to the end of August this year, UK imports from New Zealand were 7 per cent. higher than in 2006 (at around 69,000 tonnes).

Lamb: Prices

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of lamb prices on farming incomes between June 2007 and October 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Between June 2007 and October 2007, the sheep Standard Quality Quotation price averaged 223.8 pence per kg deadweight. The same price in the corresponding period in 2006 was 244.9 pence. This represents a year on year decline of around 9 per cent. There has been some year on year increase in carcase weights over the same months which will have partially offset the impact of the price fall. The year on year fall in the value of finished lambs is likely to be around 5 per cent. or 2 to 3 per lamb, at UK level for the marketing year ending in October 2007.
	Lamb prices have declined more steeply than usual in the autumn of 2007 compared to previous years. The average deadweight price for lambs fell by 86p between June and October 2007 (a 34 per cent. decrease) compared to 92.3 pence in 2006 (a 27 per cent. decrease).
	In January DEFRA will be publishing forecasts of farm incomes in England for the year ending February 2008. This will include separate forecasts for lowland and LFA grazing livestock farms and the income forecasts will include the impact of changes in lamb prices between 2006 and 2007.

Lamb: Prices

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average lamb prices paid to farmers were in each month in 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The following table shows average lamb prices for Great Britain for January to October 2007 collected by the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC).
	Producer prices are for live animals sold at auction markets for slaughter. Deadweight prices are for carcases of animals sold direct to slaughter.
	
		
			  Great Britain Average Monthly Standard Quality Quotation Prices for Lamb for 2007 
			   Producer Prices ( pence per kg liveweight )  Deadweight Prices ( pence per kg deadweight ) 
			 January 103.53 229.2 
			 February 110.46 242.0 
			 March 118.13 257.3 
			 April 112.49 250.4 
			 May 112.95 250.5 
			 June 119.00 265.1 
			 July 115.32 259.5 
			 August 108.19 242.4 
			 September 94.21 226.3 
			 October 76.77 207.7

Lamb: Prices

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the difference between what farmers are paid for lambs and other livestock and what consumers are charged for meat products in supermarkets; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Agriculture in the United Kingdom, published annually by DEFRA, compares the farmgate price with the retail price for lamb and other meats. In 2006, the farmgate price for lamb amounted to 47 per cent. of the retail price.
	DEFRA has also commissioned London Economics to carry out research into farm retail price spreads. Both this study and Agriculture in the United Kingdom are available on the DEFRA website.

Livestock: Disease Control

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the issue of contagious diseases affecting livestock; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on plans to compensate farmers in Wales who have made losses due to the restriction on the movement of their cattle introduced as a consequence of the recent foot and mouth outbreak; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on provisions to contain any further outbreaks of bluetongue and foot and mouth disease in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the possibility of foot and mouth disease and bluetongue entering Welsh farming stock; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Government are working closely with the devolved administrations to co-ordinate the disease control response throughout Great Britain. Officials in the Welsh Assembly Government are actively involved in policy decisions for foot and mouth disease (FMD), bluetongue and now avian influenza, and in reviewing the disease control strategies.
	Certain functions under the Animal Health Act 1981, including disease control functions, were transferred to the National Assembly for Wales under the Transfer of Functions Order 2004 (SI 2004/3044) and are now the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government. The transfer of functions was not accompanied by an apportioned transfer of budgets. These are retained by DEFRA, which meets the costs of animal disease control, welfare and surveillance on behalf of Wales.
	Where animals are slaughtered and property seized due directly to FMD, DEFRA meets the cost of compensatory payments, including those in respect of Wales. This does not extend to the offer of financial support for consequential loss.
	The EU Commission and member states have agreed a new Decision which will allow the relaxation of current FMD export restrictions on meat and meat products. This Decision is expected to come into force in the middle of November. The current FMD restrictions will be amended and the FMD Restricted Zone in England will be lifted when this occurs. This will allow farmers in Wales to send animals for slaughter for the export market. The implementation of this decision has been developed in close consultation with officials in the Welsh Assembly Government.
	The UK remains committed to an approach to the control of bluetongue which aims to contain the disease within the current restricted area, in line with 'Phase 1' of the UK Bluetongue Disease Control Strategy. This takes into account the epidemiological situation, the time of year (coming towards the end of the vector season), and the cost benefit analysis of disease control measures and their likely economic impacts. Decision-making about the placing of the surveillance zone boundaries has been shared with Welsh Assembly Government and with a core group of stakeholders.
	This assessment remains under constant review with stakeholders as the bluetongue disease situation develops, and recognises that efforts to contain the disease may become disproportionate to the costs to industry, and therefore the strategy may have to change. However, using the above assessment, this point has not yet been reached.
	We are very conscious that we must balance the need to reduce the pressure on the industry with the overriding objective of controlling the spread of bluetongue. We will continue to work with the devolved administrations in reviewing and implementing our bluetongue control policy.

Miscanthus Grass: Subsidies

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much subsidy is given for miscanthus grass  (a) growing and  (b) harvesting; and what use is made of miscanthus grass grown in Devon.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 19 November 2007
	Grant aid for miscanthus under the Energy Crops Scheme (ECS) is a one-off payment for the costs associated with establishing the crop. The rate is 920 per hectare.
	There has only been one case of miscanthus grown under ECS in Devon. The end use was for fuel at the Aberthaw power station.

Nitrate Sensitive Areas

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it his policy to restore the link between the minimum storage period required for slurries and poultry manures and the risk factors for individual farms under the proposed Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Action Plan to permit shorter storage periods where there is no demonstrable environmental risk.

Phil Woolas: The proposed Nitrates Action Programme is currently at public consultation. Following the close of the consultation on 13 December, my Department will consider carefully all comments received on the proposals before making recommendations on how to progress implementation of the policy in England.
	This will include making recommendations on how to implement the proposed minimum storage capacity requirement.
	A report presenting a summary of my Department's analysis of consultation responses will be published on the DEFRA website in January 2008.

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to secure a derogation under the nitrate vulnerable zone regulations from the 230 kg total nitrogen limit in relation to grassland.

Phil Woolas: My Department is preparing to submit an application to the European Commission for a derogation from the 170 kg N/ha/yr (nitrogen/hectare/year) whole farm limit for applications of livestock manure.
	This is one of the more burdensome requirements of the proposed revisions to the Nitrates Action Programme.
	We expect to approach the Commission to initiate negotiations at the start of 2008.

Nitrates: EU Law

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the measures proposed in his Department's Nitrates Directive consultation go beyond the minimum requirements of the Nitrates Directive; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The measures proposed in the Nitrates Directive consultation represent what the Department considers the minimum necessary to fulfil our legal obligations under the Directive.
	The proposals are based upon good agricultural practice and reflect what the Department considers to be the best way of achieving reductions in losses of nitrogen from agriculture (thereby achieving the environmental objectives of the Nitrates Directive) while maintaining a sustainable agricultural industry.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the  (a) budget and  (b) remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; who the chairman is of each; and to what salary, including bonuses and expenses, each chairman is entitled.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information requested is published in individual non-departmental bodies annual reports and accounts. Also available on the DEFRA website (www.defra.gov.uk) is a full list of DEFRA's non-departmental bodies providing further information and links to published documents including annual reports.

Packaging: EU Law

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of British-produced packaging is  (a) sold to British markets,  (b) sold to EU countries which have implemented EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste 94/62/EC and  (c) non-EU countries.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 15 November 2007
	The data requested are not collected by this Department.
	Figures for 2006 show that 10.4 million tonnes of packaging entered the UK waste stream. 6.3 million tonnes of packaging waste was recovered and recycled, of which 2.2 million tonnes was exported. Export figures are not broken down by destination.

Pesticides: Drinking Water

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on removing  (a) pesticides and  (b) nitrates from drinking water supplies in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: The following table shows the additional capital expenditure on new assets for the removal of pesticides and nitrates from drinking water, in each of the last five years, for all appointed water companies in England and Wales.
	
		
			  Capital expenditure in 2006-07 prices 
			   million 
			   Nitrates  Pesticides 
			 2002-03 14 6 
			 2003-04 18 3 
			 2004-05 5 1 
			 2005-06 36 32 
			 2006-07 57 36 
		
	
	Over the five years preceding 2006-07, companies reported additional capital expenditure of 78 million on reducing pesticides levels and 130 million on reducing nitrate levels in the public water supplies (in 2006-07 prices indexed using the Retail Prices Index).
	In addition to new assets, companies also maintain and operate existing assets, in order to reduce pesticide and nitrate levels. This is included as part of their base expenditure. Ofwat does not collect this information separately.
	Companies report to Ofwat each year in their June return on their expenditure in various categories.

Radioactive Waste: Waste Management

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many responses in  (a) written submissions and  (b) on-line answers to consultation questions his Department received in its consultation on managing radioactive waste safely before 2 November 2007; when he expects to post written submissions received on his departmental website; and when he expects to publish the Government's conclusions on the consultation.

Phil Woolas: The Managing Radioactive Waste Safely consultation A Framework for Implementing Geological Disposal closed on 2 November. There were options for written or email responses and my Department has currently received 166 responses in total, and of these, 97 were email and 69 written responses.
	We are currently analysing all responses and are aiming to publish a summary within three months. Copies of responses will also be made publicly available. We expect the outcome to be the basis for a White Paper policy statement during the first half of 2008.

Regional Advisory Councils

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the European Commission about the composition of regional advisory councils; what his policy is on their composition; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: My predecessor and his officials had extensive contact with the Commission, before and during the establishment of the regional advisory councils.
	The composition of the regional advisory councils is defined in Council Regulation 2004/585, which the UK supports. The rule is that the regional advisory councils are made up of representatives of the fishing sector (two thirds) and interested parties (one third) such as angling and environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

River Avon: Nitrates

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the trend in the nitrate content of the River Avon in Warwickshire over the last 10 years; and what estimate he has made of the likely trend in the next 10 years.

Phil Woolas: Overall there are increases in nitrate concentration in the River Avon as the river flows downstream. This is not unusual in watercourses that receive treated sewage effluents and agricultural runoffs.
	However, the temporal trend over the past 10 years shows a slight improvement in mean nitrate concentrations.
	Due to the variability of data within and between years, it is difficult to provide an accurate forecast of future trends.

River Severn: Floods

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reviews the Environment Agency is undertaking into flood and tidal risk management related to the River Severn.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency first published the Severn Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP) in June 2005. The Severn CFMP was a pilot which formed part of the Environment Agency's research and development work to determine the best way to manage flood risk at a catchment scale.
	The pilot is currently being upgraded to comply with revised national guidance, incorporating the impact of recent floods, improvements in river modelling technology and up to date information on climate change. The revised CFMP will go to full public consultation in April 2008. However, stakeholder meetings are currently taking place to inform the re-drafting. The report is scheduled to be approved by the end of September 2008 followed by publication in December 2008.
	There is also a River Severn Strategy, a Severn Estuary Shoreline Management Plan and a draft Severn Tidal Tributaries CFMP in place.

River Thames: Flood Control

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the  (a) need for and  (b) practicability of an additional Thames barrier to the East of the existing one; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 October 2007,  Official Report, column WA103.

Satellites

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on UK participation in international earth observation satellite programmes.

Phil Woolas: I have not discussed the subject of international earth observation satellite programmes with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).
	The British National Space Centre has advised that BERR has no current, direct interest in this area.

Seas and Oceans: EC Action

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union, COM(2007) 575 final, when he expects the European Atlas of the Seas to be launched; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Maritime Policy envisages a European Atlas of the Seas as both a technical tool and a vehicle for publicising our important maritime heritage. We support these endeavours.
	The associated Action Plan (SEC(2007)1278 provisional) envisages a first publication in 2009.

Seas and Oceans: EC Action

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union, COM(2007) 575 final.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government welcome the considerable efforts of the European Commission in producing this communication and its supporting documents. We shall consider the details carefully. It is important that all the member states work with the Commission on the details of the new integrated maritime policy to ensure that it really adds value to the present arrangements.

Seas and Oceans: EC Action

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union, COM(2007) 575 final, when he expects the European Union to adopt a directive on an Integrated Maritime Policy; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply.
	The Commission Communication contains no specific proposal for a directive. The Government, together with other EU member states, would need to consider any such proposal in detail.

Seas and Oceans: EC Action

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union, COM(2007) 575 final, whether he supports the proposal for a European Strategy for Marine Research; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: There are major challenges facing the marine environment, its resources and its biodiversity. Without a sound information-base we cannot robustly face these challenges. We therefore welcome a research strategy which will strengthen the marine science-base overall. EU Framework research programmes have supported a considerable body of science across Europe and beyond, and this adds to the evidence emerging from national programmes. However, marine science has been somewhat of a neglected area and an increased focus on marine research may give it an enhanced priority.

Seas and Oceans: EC Action

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the maritime research work his Department is conducting with other  (a) EU member states and  (b) non-EU countries.

Jonathan R Shaw: Maritime research is intrinsically international in character. Much of the Department's research activities are undertaken by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
	Co-ordination of much applied marine resource, environment and ecosystem work is undertaken under the auspices of the inter-governmental International Council for Exploration of the Seas (ICES). The membership of ICES is of 20 countries around the North Atlantic, including several non-EU countries. International Working Groups meet on issues such as monitoring of fisheries, harmful algal blooms, marine contaminants and oceanography, as well as provide commissioned advice. In 2007, the UK and ICES jointly sponsored meetings on marine indicators and on changes in marine acidification. Working Groups also meet under the Oslo and Paris Commission (OSPAR).
	The EU Framework programmes also enable a considerable body of collaborative work to be undertaken. Currently, CEFAS has 26 such projects, of which 12 are fisheries-related, seven concern marine environmental issues and seven relate to fish health and welfare. They involve all other member states except Luxembourg. The programmes also involve institutes from another 20 countries. Further countries are involved through other non-EU projects.

Sheep: Exports

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what movement restrictions were imposed upon Northern Irish lambs in relation to the summer 2007 foot and mouth outbreak.

Jonathan R Shaw: There were no restrictions on the movements of lambs within Northern Ireland, or to the Republic of Ireland, as a result of the foot and mouth disease measures in GB.
	Movements of lambs from Northern Ireland to GB were banned until 22 August, when imports of lambs from Northern Ireland for slaughter were allowed, provided that each consignment complied with the relevant import and movement restrictions in place.

Thames Water: Desalination

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much brine his Department estimates Thames Water's proposed desalinisation plan will produce on average each year when it is operating to full capacity; and what plans there are for dealing with this brine.

Phil Woolas: Thames Water's proposed desalination plant is subject to Judicial Review. The Mayor of London submitted a legal challenge to the decision made jointly on 16 July 2007, by the Secretaries of State for Communities and Local Government, and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to grant planning permission to Thames Water. The case will be heard in the High Court.
	Thames Water's proposed desalination plant would involve the desalination of brackish estuary water. The maximum achievable output of treated water is expected to be 150 million litres per day.
	All the liquid waste streams from the desalination plant would be collected in a wastewater buffer tank and pumped to the nearby Beckton Sewage Treatment Works effluent channel, where they would be mixed with the Sewage Treatment Works effluent and then discharged back to the Thames Tideway.
	Thames Water considers that the flow rate of brine from the reverse osmosis process would be up to 28.6 million litres per day. The annual volume of brine produced would be a function of the volume of water produced.
	The rationale behind the disposal route back to the Tideway is that the majority of the matter within the waste stream originated from the river.
	The Environment Agency would use its regulatory powers to make sure that any discharges are of an adequate quality for the river.

Veterinary Services: Finance

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how much district veterinary managers have authorised each local authority to spend under the terms of the Animal Health and Welfare Framework Agreement in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much his Department has contracted to pay to each local authority for animal health work under the terms of the Animal Health and Welfare Framework Agreement in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA provides additional funding to local authorities to supplement the resources available to them under the Revenue Support Grant for work on animal health and welfare.
	Local authorities submit bids annually to their local Divisional Veterinary Managers (DVMs), who are asked to certify that the proposed expenditure is eligible for funding. The bids are sent forward to a central point in DEFRA for authorisation.
	This year, the total bids received, some of which arrived well into the new financial year, amounted to a total of 9.77 million. The funding available was 8.5 million. DEFRA has therefore issued allocations which fall short of the full amount requested. Authorities claiming up to 11,000 have been paid in full, while the remainder have been informed that their bids will be reduced by up to 12 per cent.

Water Supply: Licensing

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to exempt contractors from having to apply for an abstraction licence to pump water; and why he discontinued the earlier exemption for contractors from having to apply for such an abstraction licence.

Phil Woolas: There are no plans to exempt contractors from having to apply for an abstraction licence where they are pumping more than 20 cubic metres per day. Abstractions of less than 20 cubic metres per day are exempt from abstraction licensing.
	The exemption from abstraction control, stated in the Water Resources Act 1991, of a number of activities which may have environmental impacts, such as long-term dewatering for quarrying and lack of provision for temporary abstraction licences, were addressed in the provisions of the Water Act 2003. These provisions will be commenced in 2008.
	Abstractions to deal with emergencies to protect life, or property or the environment, such as removal of flood water, will remain exempt from licence control.
	The Water Act 2003 makes provision for temporary abstraction licences and a faster process for obtaining such licences from the Environment Agency. Temporary abstraction licences are applicable to projects where water needs to be pumped for less than 28 days but may have potential environmental impacts.

Water: Essex

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much fresh water was pumped out to sea by the drainage authorities in  (a) Norfolk,  (b) Suffolk and  (c) Essex in the last 12 months.

Phil Woolas: We no longer collect annual figures for water pumped by internal drainage boards and do not hold figures for other organisations but the following table shows water pumped by Environment Agency-controlled pumps in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
	
		
			  Pumping station site  Cubic meters  Area 
			 Bridgewick Pumping Station 395,600 Dengie Fluvial 
			 Croppenburgh Pumping Station 391,500 Canvey Island Fluvial 
			 May Avenue Pumping Station 382,500 Canvey Island Fluvial 
			 Leigh Beck Pumping Station 426,700 Canvey Island Fluvial 
			 St. Annes Pumping Station 365,000 Canvey Island Fluvial 
			 Hilton Pumping Station 523,000 Canvey Island Fluvial 
			 Beckney Farm Pumping Station 257,800 Thameside Fluvial 
			 Knightswick Pumping Station 385,000 Canvey Island Fluvial 
			 Wat Tyler Pumping Station 315,800 Canvey Island Fluvial 
			 Mell House Pumping Station 456,600 Dengie Fluvial 
			 Worlds End Pumping Station 465,600 Thameside Fluvial 
			 Marsh House Pumping Station 425,000 Dengie Fluvial 
			 Bridgewick Pumping Station 452,500 Dengie Fluvial 
			 Parkstone Pumping Station 552,500 Stour Fluvial 
			 Pitsea Fleet Pumping Station 355,000 Canvey Island Fluvial 
			 Dutch Village Pumping Station 578,900 Canvey Island Fluvial 
			 Benacre Pumping Station 12,631,680  
			 Hollesley Pumping Station 2,533,680  
			 Reydon Pumping Station 788,400  
			 Acle Pumping Station 1,782,720  
			 Total cubic meters pumped 24,465,480  
			  Note: The above is an estimate of fluvial water pumped to sea.

Wines: Intervention Stocks

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the latest estimate is of the amount of wine purchased by the EU by intervention in 2007.

Jonathan R Shaw: The European Commission's latest estimate of the volume of stored wine and grape must for 2007 is as follows:
	
		
			  2006-07 wine and must storage in hectolitres (h/l)all member states 
			   Volume 
			 Total 15,414,991 
			 Table wine 9,512,762 
			 Grape musts 5,643,448 
			 Grape must (concentrate) 258,781 
		
	
	As of September 2007, there were 2,240,850 h/l of wine alcohol in public intervention.
	It is not possible to provide a meaningful figure of wine alcohol stocks for a comparable period, as these levels are subject to constant change. This is as a result of sales, the carry forward of unsold or uncollected stock and the addition of new stock.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Aggregates

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the changes in demand for aggregates over the last five years; when she plans to issue new guidance to local authorities; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: The Government monitor on an annual basis the implementation and operation of the 2003 National and Regional Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England 2001-16, a process which includes generating revised aggregates demand estimates biannually using up-to-date data. We are currently consulting key stakeholders on draft revised Guidelines for the period 2005-20: public consultation will follow early next year. If the draft revised Guidelines are adopted they will be issued towards the end of 2008.

Boundary Committee: Public Appointments

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what vacancies exist in the membership of the Boundary Committee; what vacancies have been filled in the last six months; by whom those vacancies have been filled; what the background is of those about to be appointed; and if she will make a statement.

Peter Viggers: I am replying as appointments to the Boundary Committee for England are made by the Electoral Commission.
	The Committee's composition is prescribed by section 14 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. The Electoral Commission informs me that, reflecting the statutory requirements, the current membership consists of the Chairman, Max Caller CBE, an Electoral Commissioner, and Robin Gray, Joan Jones CBE, Ann Kelly, Dr. Peter Knight CBE and Professor Colin Mellors, all Deputy Electoral Commissioners. Robin Gray, Joan Jones CBE and Ann Kelly will retire as Deputy Electoral Commissioners during 2008.
	Two appointments to the Committee have been made in the last six months: Max Caller was appointed in July 2007 to fill the vacancy in the Chair following the retirement from the Commission of Pamela Gordon on 30 June, and Peter Knight was appointed in October 2007. The Commission has also appointed Jane Earl and Professor Ron Johnston with effect from 1 April 2008.
	The Commission has placed biographical details of each of the new appointees in the Library.

Buses: Fires

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information is collected by her Department and its agencies on the number of accidental road vehicle fires involving buses; and whether figures are held for road vehicle fires involving articulated buses.

Parmjit Dhanda: Communities and Local Government collate, analyse and publish information on fires attended by local fire and rescue services. With regard to fires in various forms of road transport, fires involving bus and coaches are coded and analysed as a single category. It is therefore not possible to provide separate figures for buses, nor for any sub-category of bus (e.g. articulated buses). Data can be provided for accidental and deliberate bus/coach fires, for each fire and rescue service in England.
	In 2005, the most recent calendar year for which data are available, fire services attended 709 fires involving buses/coaches in England, of which 414 (58 per cent.) were accidental.

Council Housing: Property Transfer

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which authorities included overage provisions in stock transfer agreements with a registered social landlord.

Iain Wright: As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning stated in her answer to my hon. Friend on 18 December 2006,  Official Report, column 1634W, the Department does not hold this information centrally and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Cumbria

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether her Department plans to move any of its offices to Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency.

Parmjit Dhanda: Communities and Local Government has no plans currently to move any of its offices to Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency.
	This answer does not include land or buildings occupied by Government offices, which carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

Departmental Flexible Working

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff  (a) have applied to work flexible hours and  (b) work flexible hours (i) in her Department and (ii) the executive agencies for which the Department is responsible.

Parmjit Dhanda: All Communities' staff below the senior civil service have the right to work flexi-time. However, there is no central recording of take-up. Flexi-time allows staff to arrange their start, finish and meal break times to suit themselves, providing they cover agreed core hours.
	Currently 223 staff in Communities work part-time, including those on inward secondment, loan and maternity leave, out of a total 2,357 staff. While the Department captures information of on staff working less than full-time hours as above, arrangements where staff still work full-time via home working or compressed hours are dealt with by line management. Central monitoring of these working patterns is not expected to be introduced until the new year at the earliest.
	In July the Department's HQ demonstrated its support for flexible working by revising its Flexible Working Policy, improving the application process for options such as part-time working, compressed hours or home working. Of the 19 staff who have applied for flexible working under the new process, 18 now work flexibly.
	The Department does not collect data on flexible working from its agencies; they operate their own flexible working policies so it would not be comparable.

Departmental Manpower

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many civil servants in her Department  (a) transferred to other Government Departments and  (b) left the civil service in each of the last five years.

Parmjit Dhanda: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle) on 13 November 2007,  Official Report, column 203W.

Departmental Property

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent by her Department on renovation and refurbishment of its properties in each of the last five years.

Parmjit Dhanda: Expenditure on renovation and refurbishments by this Department is as follows:
	
		
			  Renovation and refurbishments 
			   Total cost () 
			 2002-03 1,731,158 
			 2003-04 3,700,583 
			 2004-05 2,273,089 
			 2005-06 7,391,845 
			 2006-07 5,870,833 
		
	
	The figures provided are gross expenditure and do not reflect receipts from other building occupants.
	The Department for Communities and Local Government has defined refurbishment projects to be upgrading and efficiency projects exceeding 100,000.
	This answer does not include land and buildings occupied by Government Offices, who carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

Disabled Facilities Grant

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many  (a) local authorities,  (b) registered social landlords,  (c) voluntary sector organisations and  (d) others responded to the consultation on her Department's proposals to improve the delivery of the disability facilities grant programme;
	(2)  how many respondents to the Department's Disability Facilities Grant programme consultation supported  (a) the proposal to reclaim that grant when a property is sold and  (b) a proposal to make changes to the means test.

Iain Wright: The Department received 253 responses to the Disabled Facilities Grant programme consultation. The breakdown of responses is as follows:
	
		
			   Responses 
			 Local authorities 179 
			 RSLs 14 
			 Voluntary sector 15 
			 Other 45 
			 Total 253 
		
	
	171 responses commented on the proposal to reclaim grant when a property is sold and 152 were in favour.
	253 responses commented on the proposals for changing means testing and 246 responses were in favour.

Disabled Facilities Grant: Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much each local authority spent on the Disabled Facilities Grant in 2006-07.

Iain Wright: Local authorities in England report their annual Disabled Facilities Grant expenditure through the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA). The 2006-07 HSSA report is not yet available. A table setting out the 2005-06 local authority expenditure has been deposited in the Library of the House. This includes the Department's contribution of 111 million funding, made available through individual allocations to local authorities.

Disabled Facilities Grants: Public Participation

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library the responses to the consultation on the Disabled Facilities Grant Programme.

Iain Wright: The responses to the consultation on the Disabled Facilities Grant Programme have now been placed in the Library of the House.

EU Grants and Loans: Audit

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department is taking to ensure that future funding from the European Commission which it administers is audited correctly.

John Healey: The Department has been working closely with the European Commission to ensure robust systems are in place for delivering ERDF. As a result of strengthened management and control arrangements the Commission has lifted its suspension on the north east, Yorkshire and the Humber, north west objective 1, West Midlands and Peterborough for the current programmes. The new ERDF programmes will be managed by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), which are well established non-departmental public bodies that have sound control environments systems that are scrutinised by the NAO.

EU Grants and Loans: North West Region

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what action her Department has taken in response to the European Commission's announcement that it will freeze funding to the north west region and that fines may be issued following an investigation into the monitoring of grants; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: The Department and the Government office for the north west have been working closely with the European Commission to deal with their remaining issues. We are using independent auditors to examine and test the systems responsible for monitoring ERDF projects. Where deficiencies are found we are taking urgent corrective action to ensure they are robust and provide the fullest assurance to the Commission. We intend to demonstrate to the Commission that no financial correction is necessary.

Housing and Regeneration Bill

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the Housing and Regeneration Bill will be published.

Yvette Cooper: The Housing and Regeneration Bill was published on 16 November 2007.

Housing: Standards

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the cost of enabling all local authorities to achieve the Decent Homes standard.

Iain Wright: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning on 22 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1521W, which provided information on the cost of delivering decent homes for council housing.

Housing: Standards

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on which date each local authority is expected to meet the Decent Homes standard.

Iain Wright: A table indicating when each stock owning local authority reported that they have met, or reports that they expect to meet the decent homes standard has been deposited in the Library of the House.

Local Authorities: Expenditure

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of the total annual expenditure of each English local authority the cost of administrative overheads was in the last year for which figures are available.

John Healey: The information requested is not held by central Government and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Local Authorities: Finance

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities received financial support for  (a) arm's length management organisations and  (b) private finance initiatives in the latest year for which figures are available; how much was provided to each local authority; and how many homes were affected in each local authority.

Iain Wright: Those local authorities receiving financial support for arm's length management organisations (ALMOs), the value of supported borrowing that that support is based on for 2006-07 and the number of dwellings involved are included in the following table:
	
		
			  Authority  Supported borrowing  Units affected 
			 Kirklees 9,448,726 28,269 
			 Barnsley 27,379,717 23,648 
			 Blyth Valley 16,929,000 7,756 
			 Bolton 39,761,000 21,500 
			 Carrick 5,302,997 3,872 
			 Cheltenham 8,940,000 5,027 
			 Colchester 11,105,000 7,060 
			 Hillingdon 15,741,000 13,904 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 9,795,000 7,220 
			 Leeds 103,077,426 69,888 
			 Oldham 25,200,000 18,550 
			 Waltham Forest 5,000,000 11,190 
			 Barnet 15,752,520 11,452 
			 Gateshead 42,140,000 24,663 
			 High Peak 4,606,000 4,389 
			 Islington 25,862,200 30,231 
			 Newcastle 54,586,000 32,092 
			 Poole 9,733,518 4,726 
			 Sheffield 91,039,480 11,074 
			 Solihull 17,885,000 11,541 
			 South Lakeland 6,600,000 3,421 
			 Warrington 5,958,400 9,935 
			 Bury 6,520,000 8,936 
			 Ealing 43,100,000 14,679 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 23,002,000 13,778 
			 Manchester 17,570,000 17,342 
			 Newark and Sherwood 9,000,000 5,334 
			 Rotherham 45,000,000 25,128 
			 Sandwell 53,800,000 35,079 
			 Newham 12,000,000 17,814 
			 Stockport 19,980,000 11,806 
		
	
	It is not possible to give the actual level of housing revenue account (HRA) subsidy paid to authorities to support their ALMO borrowing as the ALMO supported borrowing forms a part of their overall HRA supported borrowing.
	Support for local authority PFI schemes in 2006-07 and the number of dwellings affected is shown as follows:
	
		
			  Authority  2006-07 ()  Reduction in number of non-decent units( 1) 
			  Housing revenue account payments   
			 LB Camden (Chalcots) 6,132,595 601 
			 LB Islington (Street Properties 1) 6,140,376 1,900 
			 LB Islington (Street Properties 2) 9,067,058 2,954 
			 Leeds City Council (Swarcliffe) 6,096,988 1,933 
			 Manchester CC (Plymouth Grove) 3,012,098 1,091 
			 Manchester CC (Domestic Energy Services) 301,853 n/a 
			 Manchester CC (Miles Platting) 200,630 1,770 
			 LB Newham (Canning Town) 2,391,331 1,020 
			 Oldham MBC (Sheltered) 4,949,744 1,639 
			 Reading BC (North Whitley) 3,997,107 1,370 
			 Sandwell MBC (Hawthorns Fields) 5,713,405 1,041 
		
	
	
		
			  Authority  2006-07  ()  Number of additional social rented units( 2) 
			  General fund payments   
			 Derby CC 236,000 150 
			 LB Hammersmith and Fulham 378,756 32 
			 North East Derbyshire DC 33,000 51 
			 Selby DC 539,929 250 
			 Warrington Phase 1 (Anson and Blenheim) 214,673 105 
			 (1) Total includes units that are refurbished, units that are demolished and replaced with new council stock and units that are demolished without replacement (2) Units are owned by RSLs with councils having nomination rights 
		
	
	The PFI subsidy payments are a contribution to the annual payments that the local authority has to make to the PFI contractor under the terms of the PFI contract.

Planning: Electric Cables

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance has been issued to local authorities to ensure that planning applications for developments underneath overhead power cables are assessed to ensure that such developments are within safe limits of exposure to electrical and magnetic fields.

Iain Wright: No planning guidance on this subject has been issued to local authorities. At present, there are no planning restrictions on development close to power lines other than the need to observe safe clearance distances.

Railway Stations: Hampshire

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the degree of compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 of railway stations in Hampshire; what steps are being taken to ensure full compliance; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: I have been asked to reply.
	Under Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 station operators are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that disabled people do not find it impossible or unreasonably difficult to access their services. This may be done by altering physical features at stations, taking steps to avoid them or by providing the service by other means. Operators are responding to these duties and over half of rail journeys now originate from step-free stations.
	In addition, we recognise station access as being a key issue and in 2005 launched the 370 million Railways for All programme to provide step free access to selected stations. So far 92 stations have been announced for inclusion in the programme including in Hampshire Fareham, Farnborough, Brockenhurst, Fleet, Havant, Fratton and Southampton Airport Parkway.

Religious Buildings

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will compile a register of mosques in the UK.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Government do not hold definitive lists for any places of worship in the UK. The Government are working with a range of partners to further develop their understanding of the UK's Muslim community and its infrastructure.

Social Rented Housing: Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many social rented homes will be built in Leeds West constituency in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10.

Iain Wright: We announced in the Housing Green Paper an increase of new affordable housing to at least 70,000 per annum by 2010-11; of these, 45,000 homes will be for social rent, with a goal to go further in subsequent years to 50,000 new homes for social rent in the next spending review period.
	Regional Assemblies are currently providing advice to Ministers on their priorities for investment in 2008 to 2011 and completions in particular locations and constituencies will depend on the bids received by the Housing Corporation.

South Downs National Park

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her timetable is for  (a) receiving and  (b) making a decision on the recommendations of the report on the South Downs National Park consultations.

Jonathan R Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
	On 25 October, I announced that the South Downs public inquiry to consider certain new issues relating to the proposed South Downs National Park (Designation) Order 2002 (as varied by the South Downs National Park Designation (Variation) Order 2004) will be re-opened on 12 February 2008. We anticipate a decision about the National Park will be taken in the latter part of 2008.

Terrorism

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 14 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 667-86 on national security, if she will list the projects devoted to countering violent extremism to which her Department is allocating the 20 million; how much funding is being provided to each project; and where each project is based.

Parmjit Dhanda: In his statement of 14 November my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister confirmed that 70 million is being invested in community projects that are dedicated to countering violent extremism over the next three years (financial years 2008-09 to 2010-11).
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced on 31 October that around 25 million of that would be invested in national scheme to directly support communities, including:
	Equipping faith leaders with the skills and understanding required to lead communities, building their capacity to engage with young people on the challenges they face, including extremism. For example, ensuring imams can communicate more effectively with young people;
	Support communities to broaden the provision of citizenship education in mosque schools, equipping young people themselves with the understanding and arguments to reject extremists' messages;
	Developing new minimum standards for public institutions (e.g. prisons, universities) engaging imams working with young or vulnerable people;
	Supporting the Charity Commission's work to improve governance standards in faith institutions, including mosques;
	Increase the provision of leadership training available to Muslim communities, particularly women and young people.
	Further announcements will be made as and when the details of the grant funding are decided.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State also announced 45 million would be available to local authorities and their community partners. This will build on work funded by the Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund in 2007-08, guidance on which can be found at www.communities.gov.uk/communities/preventingextremism. Further guidance will be issued is due course.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Adoption

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what action the Government have taken to encourage more families to consider adopting children since 1997.

Kevin Brennan: Since 1997 the steps we have taken to encourage more people to consider adopting children from care, include:
	extending eligibility criteria for people who may apply to adopt to include single people, married couples, civil partners and unmarried couples (same sex and opposite sex);
	introducing rights to statutory adoption and paternity leave and pay, parental leave, flexible working and time off for dependants;
	requiring local authorities to make a range of adoption support services available in their area, including financial support;
	investing 66.5 million in transforming the management and delivery of adoption services, through the Quality Protects Grant;
	issuing National Adoption Standards setting out what children, prospective adopters, birth families and the general public can expect from their local adoption service;
	issuing an Adopter Recruitment Toolkit to help adoption agencies develop their local media activities for recruiting prospective adopters;
	providing funding to the British Association for Adoption and Fostering to support National Adoption Week which helps raise awareness about adoption, the number of children in care waiting for families and encourages more prospective adopters to come forward; and
	making information available through leaflets and Government websites about adoption and the adoption process.

Adoption: Minorities

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department is taking to support the work of organisations attempting to increase the number of black and ethnic minority adopters; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: We are currently providing funding to the British Association for Adoption and Fostering to support National Adoption Week, which helps raise awareness about adoption and encourages people from all backgrounds to come forward to adopt. This year's National Adoption Week had a particular focus on encouraging people from minority ethnic backgrounds to come forward to adopt.
	Over the past 10 years this Government have provided financial support to a number of voluntary adoption agencies in England to help them recruit more black and minority ethnic adopters.

Aviation

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by his Department on  (a) business class and  (b) first class flights in the last 12 months.

Kevin Brennan: The spend on  (a) business class flights in the 12 month period October 2006 to September 2007 for the former Department for Education and Skills was 241,936 and  (b) first class flights in the 12 month period October 2006 to September 2007 for the former Department for Education and Skills was 24,658.

Centre for Procurement Performance

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the costs were of his Department's Centre for Procurement Performance in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The Centre for Procurement Performance (CPP) was launched in April 2005 to raise procurement performance, and work with organisations across the whole of the education, skills and children and families' system to release significant efficiency gains back into frontline services by March 2008.
	To date, the work of the CPP has realised combined reported efficiency savings of 286.5 million for the financial years 2005/06 and 2006/07 across the Schools, HE and CYPF sectors. A further estimated 41.3 million in efficiencies are expected from the further education sector for financial year 2006/07. Combined estimated efficiencies for the financial year 2007/08 are 404.3 million.
	The costs of CPP in each year since its inception are as follows:
	
		
			  000 
			  Financial year  Programme spend  Admin spend  Overall year spend 
			 2004-05 1,401 0 1,411 
			 2005-06 2,287 -219 2,068 
			 2006-07 4,493 0 4,494 
			 2007-08(1) 2,354 646 3,000 
			 Overall spend 10,535 427 10,973 
			 (1 )To date (31 November 2007).

Children in Care

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what  (a) mechanisms and  (b) guidance exist on the provision to parents with substance abuse histories of access to their children whilst in care; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: Section 34 of the Children Act 1989 and accompanying regulations and guidance require local authorities to allow reasonable contact between a looked after child and their parents, and describe the circumstances under which such contact may be denied temporarily in an emergency in order to safeguard the child.
	The Act also requires the court to consider the proposed contact arrangements for a child in care proceedings and courts may make directions about the nature or amount of contact which should be allowed.
	Neither the regulations nor the guidance make reference to any particular needs or circumstances of birth parents in relation to contact, since local authorities and the courts should take decisions based on what is best for the child in each individual case.

Children in Care

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will make a statement on the decision-making process used to determine whether to take  (a) a baby,  (b) children or  (c) young people into care.

Kevin Brennan: There are extensive requirements governing decision-making processes for bringing a child into care, which is ultimately a decision for the courts. The processes are the same for all children and are set out in the Court Orders volume of the Children Act 1989 guidance. Local authorities must undertake a thorough assessment of the parents' capacity to meet the child's developmental needs in the context of the wider family and environmental factors. The plan which follows the assessment must then be submitted to the court and will be subject to judicial scrutiny as part of the consideration as to whether the harm thresholds set out in legislation have been met.
	The Department has recently consulted on a revised version of the Court orders guidance which will shortly be reissued. Both the revised guidance and the policy direction of the Care Matters Green and White papers emphasise the need to engage families, including wider family, at the earliest stages of decision-making and ensure that they are fully informed about local authority concerns.

Children in Care

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what  (a) support and  (b) guidance is made available to local authorities for keeping families together before taking (i) babies, (ii) children and (iii) young people into care; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The Children Act 1989 places a duty on local authorities to promote the upbringing of all children in need in their area within their families and they have a power to provide a range of services to families including, in exceptional circumstances, financial support to discharge this duty. This duty is regardless of the age of the child. The legislation is accompanied by extensive guidance which sets out how the legislation is to be delivered in practice. In addition, Every Child Matters, launched in 2003, set a challenging agenda for central and local government and partner agencies to strengthen prevention services through an increased focus on better, earlier and co-ordinated support to families and carers.
	The Care Matters White Paper launched in June this year set out a number of actions, including funding for piloting new interventions, which will enable more children to remain with their birth and extended families.

Children in Care: Reading

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what programmes are in place to provide looked-after-children with access to one-to-one reading tuition;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure that looked-after-children do not fall behind other pupils with their reading skills.

Kevin Brennan: The attainment of looked after children has improved. However, outcomes for this group of children and young people are not good enough. In June 2007 we published our White Paper Care Matters: Time for Change, which set out the range of ways in which we will improve the education of looked after children. These include: putting the designated teacher on a statutory footing to improve the expertise in school and ensure a stronger focus on their learning needs; introducing a 500 annual allowance for looked after children at risk of falling behind at school; appointing 'virtual school heads' to oversee their education; reducing mobility of school placements, particularly in the crucial years before GCSEs; and a bursary of a minimum of 2,000 for all care leavers who go on to university.
	We are personalising the learning of looked after children to ensure that they receive greater support where they are falling behind. This includes providing greater access to one to one tuition. For example:
	The 500 allowance for looked after children at risk of falling behind at school will be used to support a wide range of additional learning activities that meet the needs of the child, including one to one tuition;
	We are currently piloting better approaches to personalised learning, including one to one tuition, through our Making Good Progress pilot. The pilot is providing up to a total of 20 hours of one to one tuition in English and maths for 43,000 pupils, focused on pupils who are behind national expectations, are falling behind, or looked after children who would particularly benefit from individual support; and
	HSBC have provided 1 million to fund one to one tuition for looked after children. This provision will be managed by new 'virtual school heads' who will oversee the education of looked after children in a local area.
	From next year we will roll out the Every Child a Reader programme nationally, building on the highly successful pilot led by the KPMG Foundation, so that by 2011 30,000 six-year-olds who have difficulty reading will be getting one-to-one tuition. We will also provide support for writing in primary schools through the Every Child a Writer programme, helping teachers to ensure that they use the best teaching methods, including one-to-one coaching, in the areas of writing which primary children find hardest to master.
	By 2011 we will extend one to one support to 300,000 children in English (and a further 300,000 in maths). This will ensure that many more children receive the support they need to reach their potential. The more intensive support offered through Every Child a Reader is in addition to this. Both will be of great benefit to looked after children.

Children: Databases

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he expects to publish in final form guidance on the ContactPoint database; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: We plan to publish the response to the consultation on the draft ContactPoint guidance, which includes details of our publication plans for the guidance, by the end of November.

Children: Day Care

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families on what date he plans to publish the Government's Strategy Paper on Pay and Rewards for the Early Years and Childcare Sector; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: We plan to publish a Children's Workforce Strategy Action Plan early in the new year. The Plan will set out our overall vision for the workforce and the steps that we and other stakeholders need to take to deliver this vision. The Plan will cover recruitment, retention and rewards across the whole of the children's workforce rather than for sectors individually.

Children: Palliative Care

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether the guidance for the disabled children's indicator of Public Service Agreement 12 will cover children's palliative care services.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 14 November 2007
	The indicator is currently being developed and will measure parents' experience of services and of the elements of the core offer set out in the Aiming High for Disabled Children report (May 2007). The measure will cover the families of all children with disabilities and ask about all services provided to them by their local authority and primary care trust (PCT), including children's trusts.
	Therefore palliative care services provided through these organisations will be covered by the indicator. However, the measurement of the indicator will not allow for the disaggregation of individual services.
	We will not be issuing guidance over and above what is in the public service agreement 12 delivery agreement.

Departmental Assets

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what departmental assets are planned to be sold in each financial year from 2007-08 to 2010-11; what the  (a) description and  (b) book value is of each such asset; and what the expected revenue is from each such sale.

Kevin Brennan: The Department will be publishing an asset management strategy in December 2007 which will provide details of our planned disposals up to 2010-11.

Departmental Assets

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what departmental assets are planned to be sold in each financial year from 2007-08 to 2010-11; what the  (a) description and  (b) book value of each such asset is; and what the expected revenue from each such sale is.

Kevin Brennan: The Department will be publishing an asset management strategy in December 2007 which will provide details of our planned disposals up to 2010-11.

Departmental Correspondence

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what target his Department has adopted on the maximum time taken to respond to hon. Members' correspondence; and what performance against that target was in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The Cabinet Office publishes guidance for Departments on Handling Correspondence from Members of Parliament, Members of the House of Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House and it is also available on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/upload/assets/www.cabinet office.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/correspondence.pdf.
	The Cabinet Office also publishes on an annual basis, a report on Departments' and Agencies performance on handling Members and Peers correspondence. This includes the target set by each Department to reply to hon. Members, the number of letters received and the percentage of replies within target. The last report for 2006 was published by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office (Hilary Armstrong) on 28 March 2007,  Official Report, columns 101-04WS.

Departmental Manpower

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many allegations of victimisation for whistleblowing have been reported to his Department by departmental staff since 6 June 2006.

Kevin Brennan: The Department has not received any reports of allegations of victimisation for whistlblowing since 6 June 2006.

Departmental Manpower

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when his Department's whistleblowing procedures were reviewed to reflect the provisions in the revised Civil Service Code.

Kevin Brennan: Following the publication of the revised Civil Service Code my Department undertook an immediate review of whistleblowing procedures.

Departmental Manpower

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many civil servants in his Department and its predecessor  (a) transferred to other Government departments and  (b) left the civil service in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: Detailed information on numbers of leavers and those who transferred to other Government Departments could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However the numbers of civil servants (full-time equivalents) in my Department for each of the last five years is provided in the table:
	
		
			  Year( 1)  FTE staff numbers 
			 2003(2) 5,020 
			 2004 5,130 
			 2005 4,550 
			 2006 4,166 
			 2007(3) 2,780 
			 (1) The numbers recorded are from April each year. (2) Figures for 2003-06 refer to the predecessor Department for Education and Skills. (3 )Figures for 2007 refer to the Department for Children, Schools and Families, correct at 31 October 2007. They reflect Machinery of Government Changes in June 2007 (see background note).

Departmental Manpower

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the full-time equivalent headcount in his Department is; what the forecast full-time equivalent headcount for his Department is for  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The full-time equivalent headcount of staff in my Department is 2,780 staff with a target headcount of 3,142 full-time equivalents for the end of 2007-08. The target was set when our overall headcount was set for the former Department for Education and Skills, before 536 staff were transferred to the new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills as part of the Machinery of Government changes on 28 June 2007.
	The Department has not yet finalised workforce forward projections for 2008-09 and 2009-10. However, my Department will operate within a strict (and reducing year on year) running cost allocation. This is likely to impact on the overall headcount and so it is very unlikely this will lead to an increase in the numbers of people employed by the Department.

Departmental Official Hospitality

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by his Department and its predecessor on official hospitality in the last 12 months.

Kevin Brennan: Details of expenditure on official hospitality incurred by the Department over the last 12 months are set out as follows:
	October 2006 to October 20077,340
	The figure includes expenditure incurred by Ministers and senior departmental officials. The figure excludes costs incurred as part of official events or formal meetings held to further departmental business.
	The basic rules governing hospitality are set by HM Treasury. Hospitality expenditure is limited to occasions when official business can best be transacted in that way. Personal entertainment is usually restricted to where senior managers (deputy director or above) are acting as a host and expenditure must be approved in advance by a director or executive board member.
	The Department for Children, Schools and Families was created on 28 June 2007 as a result of a machinery of government change and the expenditure recorded includes that of its predecessor Department, the Department for Education and Skills. The expenditure will also include any costs incurred by the newly created Department for Universities, Innovation and Skills, where these costs relate to areas formerly the responsibility of the Department for Education and Skills.

Departmental Public Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families on what dates his Department breached its  (a) resource,  (b) near-cash,  (c) administration and  (d) capital budgets; what the value of each breach was; and what the reason was for each breach.

Kevin Brennan: The budgets for the Department of Children, Schools and Families will be set, subject to parliamentary approval, in the Winter Supplementary Estimate to be laid before Parliament on 15 November 2007.
	In terms of the predecessor Department for Educations and Skills there have been no breaches of the main departmental budgets in the last five years. There have been breaches of the resource AME budgets for the Teachers Pensions Scheme in 2001-02 (15.2 million); 2003-04 (106.8 million) and 2006-07 (81.6 million) due to the difficulty in predicting, in the Spring Supplementary, the actuarial valuation of the scheme. This valuation is received after the end of the financial year.

Departmental Publicity

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department and its predecessor spent on advertising and promotional campaigns in each year since 1997; and what the cost of each campaign was, broken down by costs relating to  (a) television,  (b) radio,  (c) print media and  (d) other matters.

Kevin Brennan: Promotional campaigns, including those using advertising, are funded from the Department's central advertising and publicity budget and from individual programme budgets held by policy directorates.
	Spend from the advertising and publicity budget since 1997 is set out in the table. In addition to funding promotional campaigns, this budget also covers a wide range of other publicity activity (including magazine production and infrastructure costs such as mailing and storage of departmental publications). It is not possible to separately identify the campaign activity, except at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  000 
			 1997-98 10,879 
			 1998-99 13,426 
			 2000-01 14,595 
			 2001-02 11,688 
			 2002-03 14,091 
			 2003-04 16,943 
			 2004-05 12,489 
			 2005-06 9,391 
			 2006-07 10,686 
			 2007-08 (1)5,713 
			 (1) To 31 October 2007 
		
	
	The spend on promotional campaigns from individual policy directorate programmes cannot be separately identified, except at disproportionate cost. However, it is possible to separate the Department's spend on advertising, as this is centrally placed through the Central Office of Information. However, these figures will include advertising spend from within the advertising and publicity budget totals given in the table.
	The Department's advertising spend since 1997 is set out in the table, with a breakdown of individual campaign totals (where known) since 2000-1 and a breakdown of media spend against individual campaigns since 2004-5. It is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to provide earlier breakdown of costs or further details of campaign costs.
	
		
			   000  Campaign  000 
			 1997-98 9,992   
			 1998-99 15,673   
			 1999-00 11,900   
			 2000-01 29,110 Don't Quit Now 2,700 
			   New Deal 50 plus 2,400 
			   ICT employability 2,011 
			   Childcare recruitment 1,821 
			   Promotion of parents' magazine 1,484 
			   Disability discrimination 1,242 
			   Fast track teaching 1,056 
			   Modern Apprenticeships 856 
			   Individual Learning Accounts 612 
			 2001-02 17,665 Adult basic skills 5,096 
			   Childcare recruitment 2,504 
			   Science Year 1,803 
			   Excellence Challenge 1,750 
			   Modern Apprenticeships 1,670 
			   Foundation Degrees 1,325 
			   Fast track teaching 1,250 
			   Millennium Volunteers 848 
			   Promotion of 770 
			   parents' magazine  
			   New Deal 25 plus 633 
			 2002-03 13,790 Adult basic skills 5,478 
			   Childcare recruitment 2,741 
			   Aim higher 2,650 
			   Connexions 1,320 
			   Student finance 655 
			   Foundation Degrees 549 
			 2003-04 20,170 Adult basic skills 6,673 
			   Aim higher 4,190 
			   Connexions 2,608 
			   Childcare recruitment 2,987 
			   Foundation Degrees 2,814 
		
	
	
		
			   000 
			   Television  Radio  Print  Other  Total 
			 2004-05 11,088 
			 Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) 1,241 768 1,544  3,553 
			 Sure Start Month   127  127 
			 Adult basic skills 2,941 726 580  4,247 
			 Teenage pregnancy  961 19  980 
			 Student finance  684 183  867 
			 Fast track teaching   69  69 
			 Foundation Degrees  483   483 
			 Childcare recruitment   281  281 
			 Promotion of Need 2 Know website  275   275 
			 Promotion of Parents' Centre website   172  172 
			 DFES classified / recruitment   31  31 
			   
			 2005-06 7,939 
			 EMA 786 305 171  1,261 
			 Teenage pregnancy 400 538 143  1,081 
			 Childcare recruitment  302 289  591 
			 Adult basic skills 1,238 207 126  1,570 
			 Student finance 1,400 460 196  2,057 
			 Need 2 Know  54   54 
			 Parent's Centre   143  143 
			 Foundation Degrees  221 413  634 
			 Fast track teaching   18  18 
			 DirectGov parenting franchise  147 293  440 
			 DirectGov education and learning franchise   85  85 
			 Sure Start   3  3 
			 Every child matters   2  2 
			   
			 2006-07 6,265 
			 Adult basic skills 1,491 244  70 1,805 
			 Student finance 1,753 626 97  2,476 
			 Teenage pregnancy 558 653 59 264 1,534 
			 Childcare recruitment   166 239 405 
			 Children and young people's workforce45 45 
			 2007-08 (1)2,589 
			 Diplomas  940 250  1,190 
			 Teenage pregnancy 361 315 40 268 984 
			 Childcare   86  86 
			 Cyberbullying88 88 
			 Connexions241 241 
			 (1) This is the commitment to 14.11.07. Additionally, 1.861 million has been spent on the student finance campaign which is now led by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Departmental Publicity

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department and its predecessor spent on advertising and promotional campaigns in each year since 1997; and how much was spent on  (a) television,  (b) radio,  (c) print media and  (d) other costs in each campaign; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: Promotional campaigns, including those using advertising, are funded from the Department's central Advertising and Publicity Budget and from individual programme budgets held by policy directorates.
	Spend from the Advertising and Publicity Budget since 1997 is set out as follows . In addition to funding promotional campaigns, this budget also covers a wide range of other publicity activity (including magazine production and infrastructure costs such as mailing and storage of departmental publications). It is not possible to separately identify the campaign activity, except at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   000 
			 1997-98 10,879 
			 1998-99 13,426 
			 2000-01 14,595 
			 2001-02 11,688 
			 2002-03 14,091 
			 2003-04 16,943 
			 2004-05 12,489 
			 2005-06 9,391 
			 2006-07 10,686 
			 2007-08 (to 31 October 2007) 5,713 
		
	
	The spend on promotional campaigns from individual policy directorate programmes cannot be separately identified, except at disproportionate cost. However, it is possible to separate the Department's spend on advertising, as this is centrally placed through the Central Office of Information. However, these figures will include advertising spend from within the Advertising and Publicity Budget totals given in the table.
	The Department's advertising spend since 1997 is set out as follows, with a breakdown of individual campaign totals (where known) since 2000-01 and a breakdown of media spend against individual campaigns since 2004-05. It is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to provide earlier breakdown of costs or further details of campaign costs.
	
		
			   000  Campaign  000 
			 1997-98 9,992   
			 
			 1998-99 15,673   
			 
			 1999-2000 11,900   
			 
			 2000-01 29,110 Don't Quit Now 2,700 
			   New Deal 50 plus 2,400 
			   ICT employability 2,011 
			   Childcare recruitment 1,821 
			   Promotion of parents' magazine 1,484 
			   Disability discrimination 1,242 
			   Fast track teaching 1,056 
			   Modern Apprenticeships 856 
			   Individual Learning Accounts 612 
			 
			 2001-02 17,665 Adult basic skills 5,096 
			   Childcare recruitment 2,504 
			   Science Year 1,803 
			   Excellence Challenge 1,750 
			   Modern Apprenticeships 1,670 
			   Foundation Degrees 1,325 
			   Fast track teaching 1,250 
			   Millennium Volunteers 848 
			   Promotion of parents' magazine 770 
			   New Deal 25 plus 633 
			 
			 2002-03 13,790 Adult basic skills 5,478 
			   Childcare recruitment 2,741 
			   Aim higher 2,650 
			   Connexions 1,320 
			   Student finance 655 
			   Foundation Degrees 549 
			 
			 2003-04 20,170 Adult basic skills 6,673 
			   Aim higher 4,190 
			   Connexions 2,608 
			   Childcare recruitment 2,987 
			   Foundation Degrees 2,814 
		
	
	
		
			   Television  Radio  Print  Total 
			  2004-0511,088 
			 Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) 1,241 768 1,544 3,553 
			 Sure Start Month   127 127 
			 Adult basic skills 2,941 726 580 4,247 
			 Teenage pregnancy  961 19 980 
			 Student finance  684 183 867 
			 Fast track teaching   69 69 
			 Foundation Degrees  483  483 
			 Childcare recruitment   281 281 
			 Promotion of Need 2 Know website  275  275 
			 Promotion of Parents' Centre website   172 172 
			 DfES classified/recruitment   31 31 
			  
			  2005-067,939 
			 EMA 786 305 171 1,261 
			 Teenage pregnancy 400 538 143 1,081 
			 Childcare recruitment  302 289 591 
			 Adult basic skills 1,238 207 126 1,570 
			 Student finance 1,400 460 196 2,057 
			 Need 2 Know  54  54 
			 Parent's Centre   143 143 
			 Foundation Degrees  221 413 634 
			 Fast track teaching   18 18 
			 DirectGov parenting franchise  147 293 440 
			 DirectGov education and learning franchise   85 85 
			 Sure Start   3 3 
			 Every child matters   2 2 
			  
			  2006-076,265 
			 Adult basic skills 1,491 244  1,805 
			 Student finance 1,753 626 97 2,476 
			 Teenage pregnancy 558 653 59 1,534 
			 Childcare recruitment   166 405 
			 Children and young people's workforce45 
			  
			  2007-08(1)2,589 
			 Diplomas  940 250 1,190 
			 Teenage pregnancy 361 315 40 984 
			 Childcare   86 86 
			 Cyberbullying88 
			 Connexions241 
			 (1) This is the commitment to 14 November 2007. Additionally, 1.861 million has been spent on the student finance campaign which is now led by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Departmental Publicity

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the  (a) date,  (b) cost and  (c) purpose of each advertising campaign commissioned by his Department and its predecessors was in each of the last two years.

Kevin Brennan: Advertising campaigns commissioned by the Department in 2006-07 ( Department for Education and Skills) and 2007-08 ( Department for Children Schools and Families) are in the following table.
	
		
			  2006-07 
			  Advertising campaign  Purpose  Cost (000) 
			 Student finance To inform young people and their parents about the financial help available to those taking higher education courses. 2,476 
			 Adult basic skills To motivate adults with basic skills gaps to fill these through taking courses. 1,805 
			 Teenage pregnancy To help reduce rates of teenage pregnancy by targeting young people with messages about safe sex and relationships. 1,534 
			 Childcare recruitment To inform people (including those from under-represented groups) of the job opportunities available in the childcare and early years sector. 405 
			 Children and young people's workforce To inform those working with children and young people of new responsibilities resulting from the Every Child Matters reform programme. 45 
		
	
	
		
			  2007-08 
			  Advertising campaign Cost  Purpose  Cost 
			 Diplomas To inform young people and their parents about the new qualification being introduced in autumn 2008 so they can make an informed choice about its suitability. 1,190 
			 Teenage pregnancy To help reduce the rates of teenage pregnancy by targeting young people with messages about safe sex and relationships. 984 
			 Childcare To inform parents of the childcare opportunities available to them and the potential advantages these might bring so more parents consider this option. 86 
			 Cyberbullying To reduce the rate of cyberbullying by challenging young people who are complicit in bullying (for example, by passing on text messages) to recognise the harmful and negative impact on others. 88 
			 Connexions To make young people aware of the Connexions Direct Service 241 
		
	
	Additionally in 2007-08, 1.861 has been spent on student finance advertising, a campaign which has now moved across to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
	As advertising campaigns often run in phases, with different media used over different periods in each phase, it would only be possible to give specific dates for each campaign (beyond the financial year in which they fell) at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Publicity

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department and his predecessors spent on advertising and promotional campaigns in each year since 1997.

Kevin Brennan: Promotional campaigns, including those using advertising, are funded from the Department's central advertising and publicity budget and from individual programme budgets held by policy directorates.
	Spend from the advertising and publicity budget since 1997 is set out in the following table. In addition to funding promotional campaigns, this budget also covers a wide range of other publicity activity (including magazine production and infrastructure costs such as mailing and storage of departmental publications). It is not possible to separately identify the campaign activity, except at disproportionate costs.
	
		
			   Amount 000 
			 1997-98 10,879 
			 1998-99 13,426 
			 1999-2000 9,902 
			 2000-01 14,595 
			 2001-02 11,688 
			 2002-03 14,091 
			 2003-04 16,943 
			 2004-05 12,489 
			 2005-06 9,391 
			 2006-07 10,686 
			 2007-08 (1)5,713 
			 (1 )To 31 October 2007. 
		
	
	The spend on promotional campaigns from individual policy directorate programmes cannot be separately identified, except at disproportionate cost. However, it is possible to separate all the Department's spend on advertising, as this is centrally placed through the Central Office of Information. However, these figures will include advertising spend from within the advertising and publicity budget totals as set out in the following table.
	The Department's advertising spend since 1997 is:
	
		
			   Amount 000 
			 1997-98 9,992 
			 1998-99 15,673 
			 1999-2000 11,900 
			 2000-01 29,110 
			 2001-02 17,665 
			 2002-03 13,790 
			 2003-04 20,170 
			 2004-05 11,088 
			 2005-06 7,939 
			 2006-07 6,265 
			 2007-08 (1)2,589 
			 (1) This is the commitment to 4 November 2007. Additionally, 1.861 million has been spent on advertising which is now led by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Departmental Questions

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what percentage of questions tabled for answer on a named day to his Department received a substantive answer on the day due in the last year for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The Department's PQ tracking system is currently unable to break down the data requested and to do so would incur disproportionate cost. This Department aims to ensure that Members receive a substantive response to their named day question on the named day, and endeavours to answer ordinary written questions within a working week of being tabled. Unfortunately, this is not always possible but this Department makes every effort to achieve these timescales.

Departmental Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what percentage of questions tabled to his Department for answer on a named day received a substantive reply on the day named since the establishment of his Department.

Kevin Brennan: The Department's PQ Tracking System is currently unable to break down the data requested and to do so would incur disproportionate cost. This Department aims to ensure that Members receive a substantive response to their named day question on the named day, and endeavours to answer ordinary written questions within a working week of being tabled. Unfortunately, this is not always possible but this Department makes every effort to achieve these timescales.

Railways

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by his Department on first class train tickets in the last 12 months.

Kevin Brennan: The spend on first class rail tickets in the 12 month period October 2006 to September 2007 for the former Department for Education and Skills was 4,026,649.

Schools: Admissions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools in each local education authority area applied for expansion in each year since 1996-97; how many requests were granted in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Schools may expand for a number of reasons; for example, to meet population growth, to accommodate pupils from other local schools which have closed, or to meet parental demand for additional places.
	The following tables sets out the number of statutory proposals to expand that were published and approved in each local authority from September 1999 to 9 November 2007. Information prior to the introduction of the local decision making regime in September 1999 is not sufficiently reliable. There were no expansions in the local authority areas not listed in the table. Decisions on expansion proposals are taken by the local authority or by the schools adjudicator. Before 25 May 2007, decisions were taken by the School Organisation Committee rather than the local authority.
	The Government are not involved in deciding expansion proposals, but do make available capital funding to encourage successful and popular schools to expand. The Government have allocated 35 million to enable 16 popular and successful schools to expand since June 2003.
	
		
			   1999  2000  2001 
			  LEA  Number  of  proposals  published  Of  which:  Approved  Number  of  proposals  published  Of  which:  Approved  Number  of  proposals  published  Of  which:  Approved 
			 Barking and Dagenham   
			 Barnet 1 1 
			 Barnsley 2 2 
			 Bedfordshire   1 1   
			 Bexley   
			 Birmingham   4 4   
			 Blackburn with Darwen   1 1 5 5 
			 Blackpool   
			 Bolton   
			 Bournemouth   1 1   
			 Bradford 1 1 
			 Brent 1 1   1 1 
			 Brighton and Hove   3 3   
			 Bristol, City of   
			 Bromley 3 3   2 2 
			 Buckinghamshire   1 1   
			 Bury   
			 Calderdale   1 1   
			 Cambridgeshire   3 3 3 3 
			 Cheshire 1 1 
			 Cornwall 1 1 
			 Croydon   1 1   
			 Cumbria   
			 Darlington   
			 Derbyshire 2 2 
			 Devon   2 2   
			 Doncaster   2 2   
			 Dorset 1 1 
			 Dudley   
			 Ealing   
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 6 6 
			 East Sussex 1 1 
			 Enfield 2 2 
			 Essex   2 2 2 2 
			 Gateshead   
			 Gloucestershire 1 1 1 1 2 2 
			 Greenwich   3 3   
			 Hackney   
			 Hampshire 1 1 3 3 2 2 
			 Haringey 1 1 
			 Harrow 2 2 
			 Havering   
			 Hertfordshire   
			 Hillingdon   
			 Islington   
			 Kent 3 3 14 14 3 3 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 1 1 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1 1 
			 Kirklees 1 1 
			 Lambeth   
			 Lancashire   1 1   
			 Leeds 1 1 
			 Leicester City   
			 Leicestershire 1 1 
			 Lewisham   
			 Lincolnshire 1 1 1 1   
			 Liverpool 2 2 
			 Luton 3 3 1 1   
			 Manchester 1 1 
			 Medway   3 3 2 1 
			 Merton   
			 Middlesbrough   
			 Milton Keynes   
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 1 1 
			 Newham   
			 Norfolk   1 1   
			 North Somerset   2 2   
			 North Tyneside 3 3   1 1 
			 North Yorkshire   3 3   
			 Northamptonshire   6 6   
			 Northumberland   
			 Nottingham, City of 1 1 
			 Nottinghamshire   2 2 6 6 
			 Oxfordshire   
			 Peterborough, City of   
			 Plymouth, City of 1 1 
			 Poole   
			 Reading 1 1 1 1   
			 Redbridge   
			 Richmond upon Thames   1 1   
			 Rochdale   
			 Rotherham   1 1 2 2 
			 Salford 2 2 
			 Sandwell   
			 Sefton   
			 Sheffield   
			 Shropshire 1 1 
			 Slough   
			 Solihull 1 0 
			 Somerset 1 0 
			 South Gloucestershire   
			 Southampton   3 3   
			 Southwark   
			 Staffordshire 1 1 1 1   
			 Stockport   
			 Stockton-on-Tees   
			 Stoke-on-Trent 1 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Suffolk 1 1 
			 Surrey 1 1 2 2   
			 Sutton 2 2 
			 Swindon   
			 Telford and Wrekin   1 1 1 1 
			 Thurrock   
			 Torbay 1 1 1 0 1 1 
			 Tower Hamlets   
			 Trafford   
			 Wakefield   
			 Walsall   2 1   
			 Waltham Forest 2 2 
			 Wandsworth   1 1   
			 Warrington 2 2 1 1   
			 Warwickshire   
			 West Sussex   1 0 1 1 
			 Westminster   
			 Wigan 2 2 
			 Wiltshire 1 1 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead   
			 Wirral   
			 Wokingham   3 3 1 1 
			 Wolverhampton 1 1 
			 Worcestershire 3 3 
			 York, City of   
			 Total 34 32 83 80 74 73 
		
	
	
		
			   2002  2003  2004 
			  LEA  Number  proposals  published  Of  which:  Approved  Number  proposals  published  Of  which:  Approved  Number  proposals  published  Of  which:  Approved 
			 Barking and Dagenham   
			 Barnet 1 1 
			 Barnsley   1 1 1 1 
			 Bedfordshire 2 2 
			 Bexley 2 2 
			 Birmingham 1 1 2 2   
			 Blackburn with Darwen   
			 Blackpool 1 1 
			 Bolton   1 1 1 1 
			 Bournemouth   
			 Bradford 4 4 
			 Brent   
			 Brighton and Hove   
			 Bristol, City of 2 2 1 1   
			 Bromley 1 1 
			 Buckinghamshire 1 1 
			 Bury 2 2 
			 Calderdale   
			 Cambridgeshire 1 1 
			 Cheshire 1 1 2 2   
			 Cornwall   2 2   
			 Croydon   1 1   
			 Cumbria   
			 Darlington   1 1   
			 Derbyshire 1 1 
			 Devon 2 2 
			 Doncaster 1 0 
			 Dorset   1 1 1 1 
			 Dudley   
			 Ealing 1 1 1 1   
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 1 1 
			 East Sussex   
			 Enfield   1 1 1 1 
			 Essex 1 1   1 0 
			 Gateshead   
			 Gloucestershire 2 2 
			 Greenwich   
			 Hackney   
			 Hampshire 9 9 6 6 1 1 
			 Haringey   1 1 2 2 
			 Harrow   
			 Havering 3 3 
			 Hertfordshire 3 3 1 1 1 1 
			 Hillingdon 3 3   2 2 
			 Islington 1 1 
			 Kent 4 4 7 7 2 2 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 1 1 1 1   
			 Kingston upon Thames   
			 Kirklees   
			 Lambeth 1 1 
			 Lancashire   3 3 1 1 
			 Leeds   1 1 1 1 
			 Leicester City   
			 Leicestershire 1 1 
			 Lewisham   1 1   
			 Lincolnshire 1 1 
			 Liverpool   
			 Luton   1 1   
			 Manchester   
			 Medway 1 1 
			 Merton   
			 Middlesbrough   1 1   
			 Milton Keynes 1 1 5 5 1 1 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne   6 6   
			 Newham 1 1 
			 Norfolk 18 18   8 8 
			 North Somerset 1 1   5 5 
			 North Tyneside   1 1   
			 North Yorkshire 4 4 1 1   
			 Northamptonshire 24 24 4 4 1 1 
			 Northumberland   2 2   
			 Nottingham, City of 1 1 3 3   
			 Nottinghamshire 1 1   1 1 
			 Oxfordshire 1 1 
			 Peterborough, City of   2 2   
			 Plymouth, City of   
			 Poole 1 1 
			 Reading 1 1 
			 Redbridge   
			 Richmond upon Thames 1 1 
			 Rochdale   2 1   
			 Rotherham   
			 Salford 1 1 
			 Sandwell 1 1 
			 Sefton   
			 Sheffield   2 2   
			 Shropshire   
			 Slough 1 1 
			 Solihull   1 1   
			 Somerset   
			 South Gloucestershire   2 2   
			 Southampton   
			 Southwark   
			 Staffordshire   1 1 2 2 
			 Stockport 2 2 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 1 1 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 1 1   1 1 
			 Suffolk 1 1 1 1   
			 Surrey   2 2   
			 Sutton 1 1 
			 Swindon 1 1   1 1 
			 Telford and Wrekin   4 4 1 1 
			 Thurrock   3 3 1 1 
			 Torbay 1 1 
			 Tower Hamlets 1 1 
			 Trafford   1 1   
			 Wakefield   1 1 1 1 
			 Walsall   
			 Waltham Forest 1 1   3 3 
			 Wandsworth   
			 Warrington   
			 Warwickshire   
			 West Sussex 2 2 
			 Westminster 1 1 
			 Wigan   
			 Wiltshire   
			 Windsor and Maidenhead   
			 Wirral 3 3 1 1   
			 Wokingham 1 1 
			 Wolverhampton 1 1   1 1 
			 Worcestershire 1 1 
			 York, City of   
			 Total 113 113 82 81 62 60 
		
	
	
		
			   2005  2006  2007  T otal 
			  LEA  Number  of  proposals  published  Of  which:  Approved  Number  of  proposals  published  Of  which:  Approved  Number  of  proposals  published  Of  which:  Approved  N umber of  proposals  published  Of  which:  Approved 
			 Barking and Dagenham   3 3   3 3 
			 Barnet 1 1   1 1 4 4 
			 Barnsley   2 2   6 6 
			 Bedfordshire 1 1 2 1 1 1 7 6 
			 Bexley   2 2 
			 Birmingham   3 3   10 10 
			 Blackburn with Darwen   6 6 
			 Blackpool   1 1 
			 Bolton   2 2 
			 Bournemouth   1 1 
			 Bradford 4 4 9 9 
			 Brent 1 1 4 4   7 7 
			 Brighton and Hove   3 3 
			 Bristol, City of   3 3 
			 Bromley   6 6 
			 Buckinghamshire   2 2 2 2 6 6 
			 Bury   1 0   3 2 
			 Calderdale   1 1 
			 Cambridgeshire   3 3   10 10 
			 Cheshire   2 2   6 6 
			 Cornwall   3 3 
			 Croydon   1 1   3 3 
			 Cumbria 2 2 2 2 
			 Darlington   1 1 
			 Derbyshire 1 1 4 4 
			 Devon 1 1 2 2 2 2 9 9 
			 Doncaster   3 2 
			 Dorset 1 0 4 3 
			 Dudley   2 2   2 2 
			 Ealing 1 1 3 3 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire   7 7 
			 East Sussex   1 1 
			 Enfield   4 4 
			 Essex 1 1   2 2 9 8 
			 Gateshead   1 1   1 1 
			 Gloucestershire   6 6 
			 Greenwich 2 2 5 5 
			 Hackney   1 1 1 1 2 2 
			 Hampshire 2 2 24 24 
			 Haringey 1 1 5 5 
			 Harrow   2 2 
			 Havering 1 1 4 4 
			 Hertfordshire 2 2 3 3 3 2 13 12 
			 Hillingdon 1 1 6 6 
			 Islington   1 1 
			 Kent 1 1 34 34 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 3 3 6 6 
			 Kingston upon Thames 2 2 3 3 
			 Kirklees   1 0   2 1 
			 Lambeth   1 1   2 2 
			 Lancashire   1 1   6 6 
			 Leeds   1 1   4 4 
			 Leicester City   1 1 1 1 2 2 
			 Leicestershire 2 2 4 4 
			 Lewisham   1 1 
			 Lincolnshire   1 1   4 4 
			 Liverpool 1  3 2 
			 Luton   2 2   7 7 
			 Manchester   1 1 2 2 4 4 
			 Medway   6 5 
			 Merton 1 1 1 1 
			 Middlesbrough   1 1 
			 Milton Keynes   7 7 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne   7 7 
			 Newham   1 1   2 2 
			 Norfolk 2 2 29 29 
			 North Somerset 1 1 9 9 
			 North Tyneside 1 1 6 6 
			 North Yorkshire 1 1 9 9 
			 Northamptonshire 2 2 7 6 2 2 46 45 
			 Northumberland   6 6   8 8 
			 Nottingham, City of   5 5 
			 Nottinghamshire   10 10 
			 Oxfordshire 2 2 1 1   4 4 
			 Peterborough, City of   2 2 
			 Plymouth, City of   1 1 
			 Poole 1 1   3 3 5 5 
			 Reading   3 3 
			 Redbridge 1 1 2 2   3 3 
			 Richmond upon Thames   2 2 
			 Rochdale   2 1 
			 Rotherham 1 1 4 4 
			 Salford   3 3 
			 Sandwell   2 2 5 5 8 8 
			 Sefton 1 1 1 1 
			 Sheffield   2 2 
			 Shropshire 1 1 1 1   3 3 
			 Slough   1 1   2 2 
			 Solihull 1 1 3 2 
			 Somerset   1 0 
			 South Gloucestershire   2 2 
			 Southampton 1 1 4 4 
			 Southwark 1 1 1 1 
			 Staffordshire 1 1   1 1 7 7 
			 Stockport   2 2 
			 Stockton-on-Tees   1 1 
			 Stoke-on-Trent   5 5 
			 Suffolk   3 3 
			 Surrey 1 1 6 6 
			 Sutton 1 1 4 4 
			 Swindon 2 2 4 4 
			 Telford and Wrekin   7 7 
			 Thurrock   4 4 
			 Torbay   4 3 
			 Tower Hamlets   1 1 
			 Trafford   1 1   2 2 
			 Wakefield   2 2 
			 Walsall   2 1 
			 Waltham Forest   2 2   8 8 
			 Wandsworth   1 1 
			 Warrington   2 2   5 5 
			 Warwickshire 2 2 2 2 
			 West Sussex   4 3 
			 Westminster   3 3   4 4 
			 Wigan   2 2 
			 Wiltshire 1 1   1 1 3 3 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead   1 1 1 1 2 2 
			 Wirral   4 4 
			 Wokingham   5 5 
			 Wolverhampton   3 3 
			 Worcestershire   4 4 
			 York, City of   1 1   1 1 
			 Total 38 37 72 68 48 46 606 590

Taxis

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by his Department and its predecessor on taxis in the last 12 months.

Kevin Brennan: Details of expenditure on taxis incurred by the Department over the last 12 months are as follows:
	1 October 2006 to 31 October 2007: 309,765.
	The expenditure is based on staff travel claims and approved invoices received from taxi companies paid via the Department's Integrated Financial Information System. The Department for Children, Schools and Families was created on 28 June 2007 as a result of a Machinery of Government change and the costs identified above include those of the predecessor department (Department for Education and Skills) and also those costs incurred by the newly created Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills where these costs relate to areas formerly the responsibility of the Department for Education and Skills.

Teachers: Special Educational Needs

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what professional in-service training sessions his Department provides to teachers and head teachers on  (a) tackling bullying of children with special educational needs and  (b) the academic attainment and attendance of children with special educational needs.

Kevin Brennan: Continuing professional development plays an important role in improving the knowledge, understanding and skills of teachers and other staff in schools. Training in special educational needs (SEN) and disability is a national CPD priority, and schools may use their School Development Grant to secure appropriate training geared to identified needs, either in relation to individual members of staff or the school's work force as a whole.
	We have asked the Anti-Bullying Alliance and National Strategies to work with schools and local authorities to embed effective anti-bullying practice on the ground. We have flagged up with them that the bullying of children with SEN and disability is a key priority and asked them to work with local authorities and schools to identify any training needs in this area. We have also commissioned the Council for Disabled Children to provide specific guidance for schools on tackling the bullying of children with SEN and disabilities, and will publish this next spring. This will include information and material which local authorities and schools will be able to draw on for training purposes.
	In addition, the Department has funded a number of programmes which help develop children's and young people's pro-social skills and tackle poor behaviour, including bullying, such as the Living for Sport programme and the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) curriculum resource, as well as delivering targeted support to the most vulnerable children and young people through the Targeted Youth Support programme.
	All local authorities and schools must have regard to the SEN code of practice which provides advice on carrying out statutory duties to identify, assess and make provision for pupils' special educational needs. Schools' responsibilities include ensuring that teachers and other staff receive appropriate professional development to support them in performing their responsibilities effectively.
	To help teachers and other staff in building their confidence in working to raise the attainment, attendance and emotional well-being of children with SEN and disabilities the Department launched, on 17 October, the Inclusion Development programme. The opening round focuses on training in relation to children's communication difficulties, including dyslexia.

HEALTH

St. Helier Hospital: Nurses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses were employed at St. Helier Hospital, Surrey in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  National health service hospital and community health services: qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in the specified organisations as at 30 September each specified year 
			  Headcount 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006( 1) 
			 Total of specified organisations 1,960 1,890 1,672 1,648 1,545 1,578 1,805 1,985 2,038 2,003 
			 Epsom Health Care NHS Trust 720 720 (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) 
			 St. Helier NHS Trust 1,240 1,170 (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) 
			 Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (2) (2) 1,672 1,648 1,545 1,578 1,805 1,985 2,038 2,003 
			 (1 )More accurate validation processes in 2006 have resulted in the identification and removal of 9,858 duplicate non-medical staff records out of the total workforce figure of 1.3 million in 2006. Earlier years' figures could not be accurately validated in this way and so will be slightly inflated. The level of inflation in earlier years' figures is estimated to be less than 1 per cent. of total across all non-medical staff groups for headcount figures. This should be taken into consideration when analysing trends over time. (2 )Not applicable.  Note: In April 1999, Epsom Health Care NHS Trust and St. Helier NHS Trust merged to form Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce Census.

Asperger's Syndrome

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people in England have been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many people in England have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in each of the last five years;
	(3)  how many people in each county of England diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder are receiving support for that condition;
	(4)  how many people in each county of England diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome are receiving support specifically for that condition;
	(5)  what funds have been provided by the Government to support those diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and their carers in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not held centrally. The Government provide money to local councils and national health service trusts each year and it is for primary care trusts and councils with social services responsibilities to plan and commission appropriate services such as respite care for their local population including people with autistic spectrum conditions, this includes Asperger's syndrome. This should be in line with good practice guidance: Better services for people with an autistic spectrum disorder: A note clarifying current Government policy and describing good practice is available in the Library and also at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_065242
	The National Directors of Learning Disability and Mental Health published this document on 16 November 2006 to assist those working with people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). It clarifies how existing policies apply to people with ASD and how these may best be delivered to this group.
	There have been substantial increases in the level of government funding provided for social services and NHS trusts in recent years. For 2007-08 the Government will provide 65 billion to local authorities which includes giving money to personal social services. We gave almost 93 billion to the NHS in 2007-08.

Breast Feeding

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research he has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the health benefits of breastfeeding for (i) babies and (ii) mothers.

Ann Keen: The most recent research commissioned from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is the Public Health Guidance to improve the nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children in low-income households. This guidance focuses on low-income and other disadvantaged groups. The draft guidance was published for consultation in August 2007 with the expected date of issue being March 2008.

Brent Teaching Primary Care Trust: KPMG

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of KPMG's consultancy for Brent Teaching Primary Care Trust.

Ben Bradshaw: This is a matter for the local national health service.
	I have asked the chair of Brent Teaching Primary Care Trust to write to the hon. Member regarding this matter.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Research

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether Government funding for biomedical research in ME/chronic fatigue syndrome is ring-fenced.

Dawn Primarolo: The usual practice of the Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and of the Medical Research Council (MRC) is not to ring fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. Both organisations welcome applications for support into any aspect of human health and these are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made.
	The research concerned with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis that the MRC and the NIHR are currently funding has been subject to these transparent and rigorous processes.

Cochlear Implants

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cochlear  (a) unilateral and  (b) bilateral implants have been performed on (i) children and (ii) adults in each NHS trust in each year since 2002-03.

Ivan Lewis: Data from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) for bilateral and unilateral cochlear implants from 2002-03 to 2005-06 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Count of finished consultant episodes for bilateral and unilateral cochlear implants from 2002-03 to 2005-06, national health service hospitals, England 
			   Bilateral  Unilateral  Not known  Total 
			  18 and over 
			 2005-06 * 201 * 215 
			 2004-05 * 192 * 209 
			 2003-04 * 189 * 209 
			 2002-03 * 174 * 188 
			  
			  Under 18 
			 2005-06 6 266 14 286 
			 2004-05 8 239 20 267 
			 2003-04 * 227 * 252 
			 2002-03 * 178 * 214 
			  Notes:  Procedure codes used D24.1 Implantation of intracochlear prosthesis. D24.2 Implantation of extracochlear prosthesis.  Laterality codes used Z94.1 Bilateral Z94.2 Right sided operation Z94.3 Left sided operation Z94.4 Unilateral operation The not known column shows where D24.1 or D24.2 are present but no code has been entered for the laterality of the procedure.  Low Numbers Due to reasons of confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been suppressed and replaced with * (an asterisk).  Ungrossed Data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Source: HES, the Information Centre for health and social care.

Consent to Medical Treatment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps  (a) he has taken and  (b) he is planning to take to ensure that healthcare professionals comply with a patient's advance decision to refuse treatment in certain circumstances; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Mental Capacity Act (MCA), which applies in England and Wales, came fully into force in October 2007 and puts advance decisions to refuse treatment onto a statutory footing. The MCA Code of Practice, issued in April 2007 gives details of the Act's provisions on advance decisions and sets out health professionals' responsibilities. The Code and the training materials we have issued make clear that healthcare professionals must follow an advance decision to refuse treatment if it is valid and applies to the particular circumstances. If they do not, they could face civil liability or criminal prosecution.
	It is for individual trusts to put in place procedures for implementing the MCA locally. The Act requires the Public Guardian to produce an annual report on the implementation of the MCA.
	 [Official Report, 15 January 2008; Vol. 470, c. 9MC.]

Dental Services: Manpower

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists there were in each constituency in England in each year since 1997; and how many of them  (a) admitted new adult patients to their list and  (b) treated NHS patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years in each those years.

Ann Keen: Information is available on the numbers of national health service dentists. Information is available on the number of patients receiving NHS dental services but not in a form that provides information on how many of dentists individually accepted new NHS patients.
	Information is available by parliamentary constituency for the period 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2006. For the period 1 April 2006 onwards information is available only at primary care trust (PCT) and strategic health authority (SHA) level. It could be made available only by constituency at disproportionate cost.
	Annex G of the NHS Dental Activity and Workforce Report England: 31 March 2006 provides the constituency level data on the numbers of NHS dentists as at 31 March 1997 and each subsequent year to 31 March 2006. This report is available in the Library and is also available at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/dentistry/nhs-dental-activity-and-workforce-report-england-31-march-2006
	The numbers of NHS dentists at PCT and SHA level as at 31 March 2007 are available in Table El of Annex 3 of the NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2006-07 report.
	The numbers quoted for both periods are headcounts and therefore do not distinguish between full-time and part-time NHS commitment. Most dentists divide their time between NHS and private dental care.
	The inclusion of dentists on trust-led contracts in the data collection following the 2006 reforms means that data for the period since 1 April 2006 cannot be directly compared with data collected under the previous system.

Departmental Accountancy

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which departmental budget items have been reclassified, under Consolidated Budgeting Guidance, following Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 decisions; and what the  (a) former and  (b) new (i) classification and (ii) sum budgeted is in each case.

Ben Bradshaw: There have been no reclassification of departmental budgets as a result of the comprehensive spending review 2007 decisions.

Departmental Flexible Working

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff  (a) have applied to work flexible hours and  (b) work flexible hours (i) in the Department and (ii) the executive agencies for which the Department is responsible.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department encourages staff to work flexibly through providing opportunities for part-time working, job sharing and the use of flexitime, and these practices are widespread. It also encourages other arrangements such as spreading working hours over nine days within a fortnight or four days within a week. It also provides the technology to allow staff to work at home on occasions. The Department also has in place specific arrangements to allow parents, adopters, guardians and foster carers of children under six (or disabled children under 18) to apply to work flexibly. Requests to adopt any of these arrangements, and the approval to do so, are handled locally, so the Department does not have information available centrally on the numbers of people who have applied or have been approved.
	In MHRA, requests and approvals are also handled locally, so there is no central record of this information.
	NHS PASA has a flexitime system that is available to all staff. Its latest staff survey in 2006 indicated that 63 per cent. of staff have taken up this facility.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any of his Department's special advisers have declared a conflict of interest; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any of his Department's special advisers have declared a conflict of interest.

Ben Bradshaw: Special advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Copies of the Model Contract are available in the Library.

Departmental Public Participation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what opinion polls his Department has conducted of  (a) the public and  (b) staff since 27 June 2007; and what the (i) name of the firm employed to conduct the poll, (ii) purpose and (iii) cost to the public purse was in each case.

Ben Bradshaw: Since 27 June 2007 the Department has carried out two pieces of research involving the public:
	Title: Perceptions of Our NHS Our Future
	Company: GfK NOP
	Purpose: Communications research with the public and staff for the Our NHS Our Future review.
	Cost: 56,958
	Title: Public Attitude to NHS
	Company: IPSOS MORI
	Purpose: A regular tracking study with the public to monitor perceptions of the NHS
	Cost: 40,872
	Since 27 June 2007 the Department has conducted one small-scale staff survey to gauge perceptions on issues of leadership, morale and motivation. It was administered and analysed by departmental staff rather than engaging a firm to do so.

Departmental Relations

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what means his Department plans to increase its engagement with voluntary organisations through using the Compact.

Ivan Lewis: In 2002, the Department wrote to all national health service organisations in England asking them to sign up to, or be working towards, a geographically relevant local compact by 31 March 2004. I made a fresh commitment to the principles of the Compact on 1 December 2006 in a joint statement with Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to Table 2.4 of his Department's evidence to the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' remuneration, how many full-time equivalent staff he expects NHS revenue spending on pay for staff who are not directly employed in the NHS to provide in each financial year from 2007-08 to 2010-11.

Ann Keen: Workforce planning is managed by local national health service organisations. Primary care trusts are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their local population and therefore the workforce required will depend on how local organisations implement NHS priorities.

Doctors: Working Hours

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the number of places available for Foundation Year 1 doctors reflects a reduction in hours arising from the application of the EU Working Time Directive;
	(2)  how many Foundation Year 1 places he plans to provide for junior doctors from August 2008.

Ann Keen: In England, almost 6,000 foundation places are available to be filled through the national recruitment exercise that began in October. In addition, there are approximately 300 academic places available. Successful applicants will take up these posts in August 2008.
	The number of training places for foundation year 1 doctors takes account of the overall likely requirements for doctors in the future including the effect of changing working patterns such as the European working time directive.

Fats: Health Hazards

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the implications for health of hydrogenated fats.

Dawn Primarolo: We have asked the Food Standards Agency to review the health impacts of trans fats, including those derived from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils by the end of the year.

General Practitioners: Recruitment

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs are to be recruited, and over what period, to practise in the East Lancashire primary care trust area and other doctored areas in England.

Ben Bradshaw: Workforce planning is a matter for local determination, as local workforce planners are best placed to assess the general practitioner needs of their local population. The Department continues to ensure the frameworks are in place to support this.

General Practitioners: Telephone Services

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether he plans to issue guidance to general practitioners on the use of 0844 revenue-sharing telephone numbers; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the implementation of the new GP Surgery Line telephone system;
	(3)  what guidance his Department has issued to primary care trusts on the use of 0844 revenue-sharing telephone numbers; when such guidance was issued; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The provision of telephone services for patients and the public is a matter for the local national health service. The Department did however issue guidance in December of last year clearly setting out that patients should not be charged more than the equivalent of a local call.

General Practitioners: Training

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors have  (a) started and  (b) completed training for general practice in each financial year since 1997-98 for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: This information is not collated centrally. However, the information in the table shows the number of doctors in general practice each year since 1997 and the number of general practitioner (GP) in training (GP registrars), may prove useful.
	
		
			  Headcount 
			   GPs (excluding registrars and retainers)  GP registrars 
			 1997 28,046 1,343 
			 1998 28,251 1,446 
			 1999 28,467 1,520 
			 2000 28,593 1,659 
			 2001 28,802 1,883 
			 2002 29,202 1,980 
			 2003 30,358 2,235 
			 2004 31,523 2,562 
			 2005 32,738 2,564 
			 2006 33,091 2,278 
			  Source: General and Personal Medical Services Census.

Health Services

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the draft versions of the updated specialised services national definition set will be circulated for consultation to the wider stakeholder community, including patients' groups.

Ann Keen: The national specialised commissioning team will start consulting with stakeholders in December 2007 about the initial eight updated definitions from the specialised services national definition set. Stakeholders will include the relevant patient groups in each service area.

Health Services: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid out by the NHS litigation authority in respect of each NHS trust in Hertfordshire in each of the last three years.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is in the following table:
	
		
			  Payments made by the NHS Litigation Authority to trusts in Hertfordshire in each of the last three years 
			   
			  Member  n ame  Payment  y ear( 1)  Clinical  negligence scheme for trusts( 2)  Existing  liabilities scheme( 3)  Risk  pooling scheme for trusts( 4) 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust(5) 2004-05 16,882 0 151,844 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 2004-05 6,916,561 52,149 192,217 
			 East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 2004-05 3,867,268 14,443 261,500 
			 Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust 2004-05 153,857 5,307 78,508 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Ambulance and Paramedic Services NHS Trust(5) 2005-06 4,345 0 43,594 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 2005-06 1,731,705 206,810 609,947 
			 East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 2005-06 1,822,940 48,999 88,746 
			 Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust 2005-06 105,579 24,121 93,068 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 2006-07 4,899,635 158,422 172,652 
			 East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 2006-07 3,142,830 3,031,002 133,120 
			 Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust 2006-07 505,387 19,334 66,993 
			 East of England Ambulance NHS Trust(5) 2006-07 40,026 0 142,475 
			 (1) This year does not reflect when an incident occurred or when a claim was made.  (2) The Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST), which covers clinical negligence liabilities arising from 1 April 1995.  (3) The Existing Liabilities Scheme (ELS), which covers clinical negligence liabilities arising from before 1 April 1995.  (4) The Risk Pooling Scheme for Trusts (RPST), which covers non-clinical liabilities to third parties and property expenses. This scheme operates with an excess, so trusts may have made local payments against claims that fell below the excess threshold. The NHSLA does not collect this information.  (5) These trusts cover areas beyond Hertfordshire, and therefore payments include service this geographical area.   Source:  NHS Litigation Authority.

Health Spending

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2007,  Official Report, column 178W, on health spending, how many finished consultant episodes there were in  (a) 1996-97 and  (b) 2007-08.

Ben Bradshaw: There has been no update to the answer of 13 November 2007 regarding finished consultant episodes.

Heart Diseases: Rehabilitation

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long on average patients requiring cardiac rehabilitation waited to be referred to each NHS hospital trust in England in the last year for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: The Department does not collect this information centrally.

Hospices: Children

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much has been spent on children's hospices from  (a) the public purse and  (b) voluntary contributions in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what guidance he has provided to primary care trusts on their funding of children's hospices.

Ivan Lewis: We do not collect centrally, information on the amount of money primary care trusts spend on hospices. Neither do we have any information on the amount of funding hospices receive from donations or from fees.
	However, the Department has made available an additional 27 million over three years to be given to hospices as grants. Thirty six grants were awarded in October 2006 and a further 40 this summer. The final tranche will be awarded in 2008.
	The National Service Framework for Children, Families and Maternity Services, published on 15 September 2004, set standards for local authorities, primary care trusts (PCTs) and national health service trusts to ensure that children's palliative care services provide high quality, sensitive support. It remains a matter for PCTs to decide for themselves how that level of service can be provided.

Hospitals: Admissions

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department provides to NHS trusts on safe travelling times for  (a) heart attack and  (b) stroke patients for emergency admissions; how many hospitals in England accept acute admissions; and how many hospitals which accept acute admissions have people in their catchment area living more than 10 miles from the hospital.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 19 November 2007
	No guidance has been issued on safe travelling times by the Department.
	Information on acute admissions is not collected in the format requested. At the end of June 2007, there were 155 national health service trusts reporting emergency admissions via type 1 (major) AE departments. This does not include planned admissions in acute specialities. Information is not centrally collected in terms of how many hospitals which accept acute admissions have people in their catchment area living more than 10 miles from the hospital.
	Only in some cases will the time taken between pick up of the patient and arriving at AE be the most important consideration. In most cases it is the initial response, the treatment and diagnosis and quality of care, including specialist care, that matter most. Patients with severe trauma, appropriate heart attack and stroke victims may be best helped by being taken directly to specialist units, receiving care on the way to hospital. This may not be the nearest hospitalthe right place might often be a specialist unit where they see enough cases to maintain expertise and achieve the best outcomes.

Hospitals: Cleaning Services

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the deep clean of  (a) Whipps Cross hospital and  (b) King George's hospital to be undertaken.

Ben Bradshaw: As the Prime Minister made clear, deep cleaning will occur in all hospitals, starting this winter, with resources allocated through the strategic health authorities (SHAs). All trusts will submit costed deep clean plans to their lead commissioners who will monitor performance against this plan, as per normal performance management arrangements, and SHAs will take an overview as to progress across their area.
	Information on plans of individual trusts is therefore not routinely collected by the Department.

Hospitals: Hygiene

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the hygiene risk posed by Christmas decorations; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: None.

Individual Learning Accounts

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much annual budgets for Individual Learning Accounts for support staff were worth in each financial year since 1997-98 for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: 180 million pump-priming funding was provided to strategic health authorities over three years from 2002-03 to 2005-06 to support staff in the lowest pay bands and career grades to take-up of national vocational qualifications and learning accounts. This has fulfilled the commitment made in the NHS Plan.
	Following the pump-priming, the Department devolved further funding responsibility to SHAs in 2006-07.

Malnutrition

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of finished episodes of care with a primary diagnosis of  (a) malnutrition and  (b) nutritional anaemias had a secondary diagnosis of (i) coronary heart disease, (ii) stroke and transient ischemic attack, (iii) diabetes, (iv) chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, (v) cancer, (vi) dementia, (vii) depression and (viii) chronic kidney disease in each year since 1997.

Ann Keen: The following table shows the count of finished consultant episodes where the primary diagnosis was malnutrition or nutritional anaemia and the proportion of these that also had secondary diagnosis of either coronary heart disease, stroke and ischemic attack, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, cancer, dementia, depression or chronic kidney disease, in each year from 1997-98 to 2005-06 (which are the latest data available).
	
		
			  National health service hospitals, England 
			   Finished consultant episodes with a primary diagnosis of malnutrition or nutritional anaemia  Finished consultant episodes with a primary diagnosis of malnutrition or nutritional anaemia and a secondary diagnosis of either coronary heart disease, stroke and ischemic attack, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, cancer, dementia, depression or chronic kidney disease  Percentage 
			 2005-06 51,826 14,496 28 
			 2004-05 46,238 11,985 26 
			 2003-04 42,762 10,275 24 
			 2002-03 38,147 9,210 24 
			 2001-02 34,289 7,729 23 
			 2000-01 32,146 6,795 21 
			 1999-2000 30,060 6,248 21 
			 1998-99 28,470 5,675 20 
			 1997-98 27,309 5,433 20 
			  Notes: 1. Diagnosis (primary diagnosis) The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital. 2. Secondary diagnoses As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 13 (six prior to 2002-03) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care. 3. Finished consultant episode (FCE) A FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year. 4. Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care.

Malnutrition

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were  (a) admitted to and  (b) discharged from hospital with a primary or secondary diagnosis of (i) malnutrition and (ii) nutritional anaemias in each year since 1997-98.

Ann Keen: The information is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Count of finished in year admission and discharge episodes where there was a primary or secondary diagnosis of malnutrition (E40-E46 and O25)national health service hospitals, England, 2005-06 to 1997-98 
			   Finished in year admission episodes  In year discharge episodes 
			 2005-06 1,944 2,265 
			 2004-05 1,791 2,006 
			 2003-04 1,602 1,818 
			 2002-03 1,528 1,719 
			 2001-02 1,362 1,517 
			 2000-01 1,224 1,381 
			 1999-2000 1,366 1,540 
			 1998-99 1,248 1,415 
			 1997-98 1,236 1,410 
		
	
	
		
			  Count of finished in year admission and discharge episodes where there was a primary or secondary diagnosis of nutritional anaemia (D50-D53)NHS hospitals, England, 2005-06 to 1997-98 
			   Finished in year admission episodes  In year discharge episodes 
			 2005-06 104,854 111,294 
			 2004-05 93,877 99,213 
			 2003-04 85,977 90,800 
			 2002-03 78,159 82,236 
			 2001-02 71,367 75,194 
			 2000-01 70,752 74,520 
			 1999-2000 68,544 71,866 
			 1998-99 66,546 70,021 
			 1997-98 64,339 68,353

Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many patients being cared for by each Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust Community Services Home Team  (a) have changed their support workers in the last four months,  (b) have been discharged back to their GPs in the last four months,  (c) no longer have a support worker and  (d) have a care manager who is not permanently in the team;
	(2)  how many patients in the community being cared for by each Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust Community Services Team have changed care manager in the last four months;
	(3)  how many Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust Community Services teams are closed to referrals;
	(4)  how many patients have had their hospital discharge delayed because a community service is not available to them under the auspices of Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust Community Services;
	(5)  how many patients being cared for by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust Community Services in  (a) north,  (b) central and  (c) south Manchester are receiving (i) acute home treatment as an alternative to admission and (ii) outreach services;
	(6)  how many patients being cared for by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust Community Services are  (a) receiving an early intervention in psychosis service and  (b) waiting to be admitted to hospital;
	(7)  what the sickness levels among staff in Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust Community Services teams were in 2006-07;
	(8)  how many patients each Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust Community Services Team has on its waiting list to be allocated to a care manager.

Ivan Lewis: The requested information is not collected and validated centrally. However, it can be obtained by contacting Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust directly.

Maternity Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) consultant-led,  (b) midwife-led and  (c) other NHS maternity units there were in each region of England in the latest two periods for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: We are not aware of any NHS maternity units that are neither consultant nor midwife led.
	National statistics for maternity units are collected by trust instead of by individual unit so there are no regular data collections of units. The following table gives the number of units at a one off collection in March 2007.
	
		
			  Region  Number of consultant-led units  Number of midwife-led units 
			 East Midlands 11 4 
			 East of England 19 9 
			 London 30 13 
			 North East 12 6 
			 North West 28 8 
			 South Central 11 16 
			 South East Coastal 16 6 
			 South West 16 21 
			 West Midlands 19 10 
			 Yorkshire and Number 19 8 
			 England 281 101 
			  Source:  The Healthcare Commission

Medical Equipment

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the names and specialties are of the healthcare professionals who carried out the classification of products in the latest consultation on Part IX of the Drug Tariff.

Dawn Primarolo: 12 healthcare professionals advised the Department on the proposed classification of items. The names of those who have given agreement to publish their names are shown as follows.
	
		
			  Name  Specialist area 
			 Penny Taylor Urostomy 
			 Carolyn Stammers Urostomy 
			 Judy Hanley Urostomy 
			 Kirn Walker Urostomy 
			 Maggie Soulsby Urostomy 
			 Catherine Williams Urology 
			 Karon Young Urology 
		
	
	These names have been shared with industry and will be placed on the Department's website.

Medical Treatments Abroad

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have accessed treatment abroad for which the NHS has paid in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: The following information relates to patients being referred abroad specifically for treatment. There are different routes under which patients can be sent abroad for treatment. We only hold information where the relevant authorisation has to be given by the Department. The following table shows the number of patients in the last five years where Department of Health authorisation has been given.
	This Information covers patients from England, Scotland and Wales.
	
		
			   Number of E112's issued 
			 2002 1,120 
			 2003 1,052 
			 2004 353 
			 2005 228 
			 2006 357

Members: Correspondence

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to respond to the letter of 6 October from the hon. Member for Eddisbury on malnutrition.

Ivan Lewis: A reply was issued on 15 November 2007.

Members: Correspondence

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the letter of 28 June 2007 from the hon. Member for Eddisbury to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on the Registered Nursing Care Contribution.

Ivan Lewis: I regret the hon. Member's letter was not received by the Department. A copy has now been obtained and a reply will be sent shortly.

Mental Health Services: Greater Manchester

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of mental health services in the City of Manchester.

Ivan Lewis: Mental health services in the City of Manchester are primarily provided by the Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust. At the end of 2005, the primary care trust and Manchester city council undertook a public consultation on the future direction of mental health services, entitled Change in Mind, which gave a mandate to reorganise mental health services to meet the requirements of the National Service Frameworks, through a combination of redesign and new investment. PCTs and the city council have underpinned these changes by an additional 4 million of recurrent investment.
	Services provided by Manchester Health and Social Care Trust were reviewed to modernise ways of work and to increase community provision. Key changes include new specialist services for people with mental health problems; integrated community health and social care services for older people with mental health problems, improved access to emergency mental health services and stronger emphasis on social inclusion. Full implementation commenced from April 2007.

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of primary care trusts that have fully implemented all National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines.

Dawn Primarolo: Performance in implementing National Institute for Heath and Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals and clinical guidelines is included within the scope of the Healthcare Commission's Annual Healthcheck. The 2006-07 annual health check self-assessments, which have been subject to targeted and random inspections by the Healthcare Commission, show that 89 per cent. of national health service organisations assess themselves as conforming with NICE'S technology appraisal guidance. 90 per cent. of NHS trusts have assessed themselves as making excellent, good or fair progress towards implementing NICE's clinical guidelines.
	The full ratings have been published on the Healthcare Commission's website at:
	www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/_db/_documents/Annual _health_check_national_overview_2006-2007.pdf

NHS: Finance

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the financial position of each NHS trust is; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: This information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  NHS trusts quarter 1 2007-08 forecast outturn surplus/(deficit) 
			  Trust name  2007-08 Q1 forecast outturn surplus/(deficit) 
			 Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust 15,700 
			 East London and The City MH NHS Trust 11,279 
			 Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust 10,020 
			 North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust 10,000 
			 Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 9,465 
			 Southampton University Hosps NHS Trust 8,900 
			 Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust 8,024 
			 Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust 7,600 
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust 7,127 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust 7,000 
			 South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust 7,000 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 5,963 
			 The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 5,636 
			 Barts and The London NHS Trust 5,400 
			 Bedford Hospitals NHS Trust 5,173 
			 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 5,017 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 5,000 
			 Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 5,000 
			 Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust 4,807 
			 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust 4,805 
			 Whipps Cross University Hosp NHS Trust 4,686 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Trust 4,500 
			 Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust 4,500 
			 East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 4,500 
			 Sandwell and West Birmingham Hosps NHS Trust 4,500 
			 Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust 4,100 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 4,006 
			 Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust 4,000 
			 North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust 3,500 
			 North Middlesex University Hosp NHS Trust 3,000 
			 St Mary's NHS Trust 3,000 
			 East Cheshire NHS Trust 3,000 
			 Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust 2,823 
			 Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust 2,800 
			 Nth Cumbria MH and Learning Disab NHS Trust 2,716 
			 Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust 2,625 
			 North Bristol NHS Trust 2,600 
			 Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust 2,600 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 2,594 
			 The Royal Nat Orthopaedic Hosp NHS Trust 2,504 
			 Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust 2,450 
			 Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 2,400 
			 West London Mental Health NHS Trust 2,369 
			 University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust 2,201 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 2,200 
			 Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust 2,120 
			 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust 2,039 
			 United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust 2,000 
			 Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust 2,000 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust 2,000 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey MH NHS Trust 2,000 
			 Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust 1,900 
			 Lancashire Care NHS Trust 1,811 
			 Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 1,800 
			 Camden and Islington Mental Health Social Care NHS Trust 1,750 
			 The Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust 1,727 
			 SW London and St. George's Mental Hlth NHS Trust 1,700 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Trust 1,657 
			 Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust 1,600 
			 United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust 1,500 
			 Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust 1,487 
			 Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust 1,447 
			 Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 1,400 
			 Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hosps NHS Trust 1,400 
			 Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust 1,282 
			 Doncaster and South Humber Hlthcare NHS Trust 1,159 
			 Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust 1,156 
			 Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust 1,144 
			 Rob Jones and A Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust 1,134 
			 North East London Mental Health NHS Trust 1,106 
			 Devon Partnership NHS Trust 1,094 
			 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire MH Partnership NHS Trust 1,002 
			 Central and North West London MH NHS Trust 1,000 
			 Avon and Wiltshire MHP NHS Trust 1,000 
			 East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust 1,000 
			 Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust 996 
			 Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Trust 907 
			 The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust 870 
			 Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust 858 
			 Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust 835 
			 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust 825 
			 Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 772 
			 Suffolk MH Partnership NHS Trust 744 
			 Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust 690 
			 South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust 677 
			 The Royal West Sussex NHS Trust 670 
			 Nuffield Orthopaedic NHS Trust 660 
			 Pennine Care NHS Trust 659 
			 East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 657 
			 Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust 650 
			 Winchester and Eastleigh Hlthcre NHS Trust 600 
			 Medway NHS Trust 585 
			 South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust 552 
			 Bradford District Care NHS Trust 550 
			 Airedale NHS Trust 545 
			 Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust 502 
			 Norfolk and Norwich Uni Hosp NHS Trust 501 
			 Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust 500 
			 Tameside and Glossop Acute Servs NHS Trust 500 
			 Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust 500 
			 Mersey Care NHS Trust 500 
			 Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust 496 
			 St. Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust 466 
			 Cent Manchester/Manchester Child NHS Trust 358 
			 Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust 356 
			 Oxford Learning Disability NHS Trust 320 
			 Sheffield Care NHS Trust 304 
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 300 
			 Sandwell MH Social Care NHS Trust 300 
			 Norfolk and Waveney MH Partnership NHS Trust 265 
			 Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust 257 
			 Worcestershire MH Partnership NHS Trust 207 
			 Birmingham Women's Health Care NHS Trust 207 
			 Calderstones NHS Trust 200 
			 Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust 200 
			 Mid Staffordshire Gen Hospitals NHS Trust 193 
			 Cambs and Peterborough MH Partnership NHS Trust 181 
			 Walton Neurology Centre NHS Trust 150 
			 Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 140 
			 Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust 121 
			 Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust 120 
			 Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust 100 
			 Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust 100 
			 North Staffs Combined HC NHS Trust 100 
			 Royal Liverpool Broadgreen Hosps NHS Trust 100 
			 North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust 100 
			 North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust 75 
			 North Lincolnshire and Goole Hosps NHS Trust 69 
			 North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 50 
			 The Cardiothoracic CntrLiverpool NHS Trust 26 
			 South Downs Health NHS Trust 18 
			 Somerset Partnership NHS and Soc Care NHS Trust 2 
			 Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust 0 
			 Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust 0 
			 Wirral Hospital NHS Trust 0 
			 Scarborough and NE Yorks NHS Trust 0 
			 Poole Hospitals NHS Trust 0 
			 Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hosps NHS Trust 0 
			 Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust 0 
			 South Warwickshire Gen Hosps NHS Trust 0 
			 University Hospital Of North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust 0 
			 Burton Hospitals NHS Trust 0 
			 Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust 0 
			 George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust 0 
			 Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust 0 
			 N Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 0 
			 London Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton MH and Social Care NHS Trust 0 
			 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust 0 
			 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust 0 
			 Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust 0 
			 Sussex Partnership NHS Trust 0 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust 0 
			 Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 
			 Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 0 
			 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust 0 
			 Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust 0 
			 Kent and Medway NHS and SC Partnership NHS Trust 0 
			 West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 
			 East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 
			 South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 
			 South West Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0 
			 Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust 0 
			 Manchester Health and Social Care NHS Trust 0 
			 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust (0) 
			 West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust (146) 
			 Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (2,575) 
			 Newham University Hospital NHS Trust (3,300) 
			 West Middlesex University NHS Trust (3,500) 
			 Brighton and Sussex Univ Hosps NHS Trust {4,500) 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust (4,614) 
			 East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust (5,000) 
			 Weston Area Health NHS Trust (5,400) 
			 Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust (6,150) 
			 Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (6,532) 
			 Univ Hosps Coventry a Warwickshire NHS Trust (10,000) 
			 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust (14,000) 
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hosp NHS Trust (14,295) 
			 Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust (17,505) 
			  Source: Department financial monitoring returns

NHS: Finance

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by central Government on the NHS in  (a) 1996-97 and  (b) 2007-08; and what the figure for 1996-97 is when adjusted for inflation.

Ben Bradshaw: National health service expenditure in 1996-97 was 33 billion, and the current forecast outturn position for 2007-08 is 90.4 billion. The 33 billion spend in 1996-97 is equivalent to 42.2 billion in current monetary values (uplift using gross domestic product deflators).

NHS: Telephone Services

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from patient groups on the use of 0844 revenue-sharing telephone numbers; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: We do not keep records on the number of inquiries about 0844 numbers we receive from patient groups. Since January 2007, we have received 100 letters on the subject of 0844 telephone numbers.

Organs: Donors

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the report of the Government's task force on encouraging organ donations; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The Organ Donation Taskforce report is being considered by United Kingdom Health Ministers. A response will be published in due course. Currently between 7,000 and 8,000 people in the UK are waiting for a transplant. It is vital that we identify the barriers to organ donation, and identify what steps we can take to increase donor rates.

Prescriptions

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were not used to collect medicines in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not hold information on prescriptions issued, only on prescription items that are dispensed.

Primary Care Trusts: Security

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to ensure that primary care trust staff have the experience and capabilities to ensure appropriate security for patients when they take over responsibility for health care escorts and bedwatches in April 2008.

Ivan Lewis: Commissioning responsibility and funding for prison health care escorts and bedwatches activity is scheduled to transfer to the national health service from April 2008. Responsibility for managing and providing security escorts will, however, remain with Her Majesty's Prison Service.
	Prison governing governors will continue to be responsible for conducting individual risk assessments and determining the level of security required for each escort event. This will include any additional security needs identified beyond the standard assignment of two prison officers per escort.

Ritalin: Children

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were prescribed Ritalin in each quarter since January 1980; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Information is not available to cover the timescale requested, or by each quarter. The following table shows an estimate of the number of prescription items of Ritalin (Methylphenidate Hydrochloride) prescribed to children for each year since 1999. This includes children aged 16 and under and those aged 17 and 18 in full-time education.
	
		
			  Number of items 
			  BNF chemical name  Name  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Concerta   100 43,100 124,900 175,568 197,009 226,442 
			  Equasym  4,400 25,300 42,900 52,200 30,566 25,474 57,475 
			  Metadate  20   
			  Methylphenidate HCL200 200 61,881 98,128 100,383 
			  Ritalin 135,000 155,200 168,300 145,700 106,700 58,664 25,222 21,681 
			  Tranquilyn 200 702 20  
			  Notes:   Prescription cost analysis data Prescription information is taken from the PCA system, supplied by the Prescription Pricing Division of the Business Services Authority (PPDBSA), and is based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in the community i.e. by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. Also included are prescriptions written in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man but dispensed in England. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospitals, including mental health trusts, or private prescriptions.  Prescription items Prescriptions are written on a prescription form. Each single item written on the form is counted as a prescription item.  Exemption category estimates The exemption data is identified from the box ticked on the back of the prescription form and relies on the form being completed correctly which may not always be the case. Information for categories that are not required to pay a charge (e.g. children) is based on a one in 20 sample of all exempt prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors. The information we have is therefore an estimate and subject to sampling errors. Children are defined as 0 -15 year olds, and as 16 -18 year olds in full time education.  Dispensing doctors Data up to 2000 is not strictly comparable with data from later years. Up until September 2000 only patients having their prescriptions dispensed by the community pharmacists and appliance contractors were required to complete the back of the prescription form, but from October 2000 this requirement was extended to patients of dispensing doctors. Therefore data prior to October 2000 does not include prescriptions dispensed by dispensing doctors.

Smoking

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff have been disciplined for breaking the public smoking ban inside the premises of his Department or its agencies.

Ben Bradshaw: No members of staff have been disciplined for breaking the public smoking ban inside the premises of the Department or its agencies.

Social Services: Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) personnel and  (b) staff hours his Department allocated to supporting the Review of Social Care Funding; and what the cost of such allocation was.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has not quantified the work of the Review of Social Care Funding. The allocation of personnel and staff hours varied according to the task at hand.

Social Services: Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times the Review of Social Care Funding Group met in the period between its inception and the announcement of the comprehensive spending review; on what dates it met; what the cost of its operations were in this period; if he will publish the minutes of those meetings; what meetings the group has scheduled for the future; and how much he has allocated to the group for its further activities.

Ivan Lewis: In the run-up to the comprehensive spending review the officials steering group responsible for planning the announcement of the Government's intention to publish a Green Paper on reform options for the long-term sustainable funding for people in need of care and support met on 17 May 2006, 28 July 2006, 12 October 2006, 10 January 2007, 7 March 2007, 17 April 2007, 18 June 2007 and 12 September 2007.
	The Department did not incur any costs associated with the steering group during this period, other than the time invested by its officials in attending the steering group itself as the secretariat for the officials steering group was based at HM Treasury.
	Ministers and officials have discussions on a range of issues with their counterparts in other Departments and with other organisations as part of the process of policy analysis, development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.
	The officials steering group will continue to meet in the future to support the work of the Department around the Green Paper. Meetings will be arranged and resources allocated to support the group as necessary.

Spinal Injuries

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account his Department's health map takes of the special needs of spinal cord injured people.

Ivan Lewis: The Department's health map does not specifically take account of the special needs of spinal cord injured people.

Telecare Initiatives

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been allocated to the development of telecare initiatives in each of the past three years.

Ivan Lewis: Through preventative technology grant the Department has allocated 80 million to local authorities over two years to support 160,000 older people stay in their own homes. This was allocated by a share of 30 million in 2006-07 and 50 million in 2007-08.
	In addition 12 million has been made available in 2007-08 to support the whole system demonstrator (WSD) sites. Funding for the future years of the WSD sites is being agreed following the recent announcement of the Comprehensive Spending Review settlement for health.
	The Department does not collect information on the level of local allocations for telecare initiatives. It is for local health and social services to establish their own priorities and allocate resources according to local need.

West Hertfordshire Acute Trust: Physiotherapy

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for physiotherapy treatment in West Hertfordshire Acute Trust in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not collected centrally.

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust: Finance

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the financial position of West Hertfordshire NHS Trust; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The table following shows the financial position of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust the financial years 2005-06, 2006-07 and quarter one of the current financial year 2007-08.
	
		
			  West Hertfordshire hospitals NHS trust financial position 
			   000 
			 2005-06(1) (26,785) 
			 2006-07(2) (11,413) 
			 2007-08(3) 5,000 
			 (1) Under/over spend. (2) Under/(over) spend. (3) Q1 forecast outturn surplus/(deficit). 
		
	
	The trust was in the national turnaround programme in 2006-07. There is no central turnaround programme in 2007-08.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Departmental Manpower

Danny Alexander: To ask the Leader of the House how many people aged  (a) 30 to 39,  (b) 40 to 49,  (c) 50 to 59 and  (d) 60 to 69 years have (i) applied for jobs, (ii) received interviews and (iii) gained (A) temporary and (B) permanent jobs in her Office in 2007.

Helen Goodman: The information is as follows:
	
		
			 Successful candidate 
			  Age category  Applied  Interviewed  Permanent  Temporary/FTA 
			 17-30 11 6 2 0 
			 30-39 5 3 0 0 
			 40-49 6 1 0 0 
			 50-59 1 0 0 0 
			 60-69 0 0 0 0 
			 No age data provided 8 5 1 0 
			 Total 31 15 3 0

Departmental Public Participation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Leader of the House whether her Office has conducted any public opinion polls since 27 June; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Goodman: There have been no public opinions polls conducted by the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons since 27 June.

Opinion Leader Research

Theresa May: To ask the Leader of the House how many contracts were awarded by her Department to Opinion Leader Research in each year since 1997; and what was  (a) the title and purpose,  (b) the cost to the public purse and  (c) the dates of (i) tender, (ii) award, (iii) operation and (iv) completion and report to the Department in each case.

Harriet Harman: None.

Regional Select Committees

Theresa May: To ask the Leader of the House when her planned timetable is for the establishment of regional select committees.

Harriet Harman: The Government are considering how best to take forward the ideas in the Governance of Britain Green Paper for committees to reflect the English regions. The Modernisation Select Committee of the House of Commons announced an inquiry into Regional Accountability on 11 October and the Government expect to submit a memorandum to that Committee.

Welsh Grand Committee

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Leader of the House if she will bring forward proposals to amend the procedures for setting up meetings of the Welsh Grand Committee.

Harriet Harman: Meetings of the Welsh Grand Committee are set up under Standing Order No. 108, following discussion in the usual channels. The Government have no plans to seek to amend these procedures.